20 January 2024 , 14:52
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Nike did not make the same special offers to Tiger Woods as they did to LeBron James, despite Woods having four contracts that totalled £500million.
Woods was a figurehead for Nike, but their relationship has ended following the completion of their final deal together - but it has also underlined that Woods was never given lifetime deals like LeBron James or Kevin Durant.
In 2015, LeBron made a lifelong contract with Nike, meaning he'll always be an athlete with them. Durant signed the same type of contract in April 2023, but Woods is now expected to sign a new endorsement partnership.
However, even though Woods played a significant role for the company and had four contracts amounting to more than £400million, Nike never offered him the kind of deal James and Durant have enjoyed.
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According to The US Sun, Tiger is "disappointed" because his time with Nike is up, suggesting that the expectation may have been a lifetime deal.
Back in 1996, when Tiger was making his mark, he signed a £30m million deal for five years. It has been reported that Nike's Golf revenues went up by 900% in the two years after his contract. In 2001 and later, at the height of his career, he signed further contracts for £78 million and £250 million.
He then struck a final deal in 2013 for £150 million over 10 years. But, now it seems like Nike are wrapping up their golf projects and have walked away from making golf equipment since 2016. It may explain why Tiger never got offered a lifelong contract.
There's zero chance of James and Durant, two huge figures in basketball, being allowed to move on by Nike as they are seen as key to the brands future.
Woods isn't the only big name to move on. Tennis champion Roger Federer swapped the swoosh for Uniqlo in 2018, signing a whopping £250 million deal with them.
Tiger Woods' iconic partnership with Nike recently came to an end (Getty Images)A driving factor for his move was the desire for a contract lasting beyond his tennis-playing days, since he didn't get a lifetime proposal like the biggest basketball names have.
On Woods' departure, Nike acknowledged his massive impact on golf. "We are grateful to have been a part of it," it said. "We wish him the best in the future."
Woods has been linked with Adidas, Sketchers, Greyson Clothiers, New Balance, and Malbon Golf as he closes in on a new partnership - something James and Durant are unlikely to face.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]
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