A lot can be said about a man’s hereabout from their shoes — where they have been and where they are going. Not quoting Sherlock Holmes here, just something Forrest Gump’s mother told him when he was a kid. So, where is Tiger Woods going with his Nike sponsorship, wearing FootJoy kicks? The mystery surrounding the deal continues and it has touched Charlie Woods as well. The 82-time PGA Tour winner was once again spotted wearing FootJoy shoes throughout the Hero World Challenge. But it was not supposed to be like that.
At last year’s Masters Nike and Woods both said they are working together to build something that fits the new requirements of the latter. However, one year has passed, and there haven’t been any updates about the proposed shoe. On the contrary, Charlie Woods has also sported the same kicks as his father. Does it spell the end of the 27-year-long partnership?
A fallout between two giants?
Tiger Woods first signed with Nike in 1996 as a 20-year-old kid. The five-year deal kick-started a partnership that’s going on for almost three decades. The last extension was a 10-year deal in 2013 for a reported $200 million.
Seemingly, the 82-time PGA Tour winner is in the last leg of his contract with Nike, which has a staggering $175 billion market cap. No Laying Up Podcast, who has earlier rightly hinted at some major shakeups in the golf world, has reasons to believe, we are nearing the end of an iconic partnership.
That’s the present, but where is Woods going? Apparently, Woods along with some other Nike athletes, such as Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka, are waiting for an equipment manufacturer to burst into the apparel industry. Multiple reports suggest TaylorMade is foraying into the apparel business and Woods is one of the many A-list golf pros mulling over a switch from Nike.
The 15-time Major winner first sported a FootJoy shoe at the 2022 Masters citing the comfort and mobility it offers. Although Nike was reportedly making a shoe that fits his needs, that is yet to come by. Interestingly, his team has declined to comment on the burning matter.
Woods has also ditched Nike sunglasses in favor of a new brand, and Nike, reportedly, doesn’t have TW footwear in their next year’s catalog. NLU believes the PNC Championship, where Tiger Woods will pair up with his son, is the last time the former World No.1 will sport the Swoosh. Interestingly, Charlie Woods, too has been spotted rocking FootJoy shoes earlier.
Woods Jr. follows in the footsteps of Tiger Woods
The teenager was wearing FootJoy shoes during his practice round at the La Rivera Country Club in June this year. At that time, the 14-year-old golfer sporting the same brand as his father fuelled many speculations. Although Charlie Woods has not signed any deal with Nike previously, it was read as an indication of Woods’ preference for a new brand over his sponsor.
If Woods leaves Nike, it might cause a momentum shift in the golf world. But it has precedents in history. Kobe Bryant ditched Adidas in favor of Nike to have his own shoe line. Simone Biles, too has switched from Nike to Gap’s Athleta and became a brand ambassador of the brand in 2021. Is Tiger Woods on the same path? Well, if the shoe fits, you must wear it.
