Tiger Woods announced the end of his 27-year partnership with NIke earlier this week. (Photo by ... [+]
In the you-can-bet-on-anything category, there are odds on which apparel brand Tiger Woods will team with next after the end of his 27-year sponsorship deal with Nike
Woods, 48, had endorsed Nike since turning pro in 1996 and netted more than $500 million over the life of the deal, according to Forbes estimates. In a social media post announcing the split on Monday, he announced there would be “another chapter,” without revealing specifics.
TaylorMade and Greyson Clothiers are the favorites to partner with Woods next, according to online sportsbook Bovada, putting their odds at +300.
There has certainly been speculation that Woods might expand his deal with TaylorMade, as he’s played the company’s clubs since 2017 following Nike’s exit from the golf equipment business. TaylorMade has a relatively small selection of apparel currently available on its website, but could be seeking to expand its presence in the U.S. market. Teaming with Woods would provide instant visibility.
Greyson counts Justin Thomas, one of Woods’ closest friends on tour, as a sponsor, and there are hints the company partnered with Woods’ 14-year-old son, Charlie.
Tiger Woods, Charlie Woods and Justin Thomas during the final round of the 2022 PNC Championship in ... [+]
The next-best odds of landing Tiger beyond those two might be a bit of a surprise: Skechers, at +800, meaning a winning $100 wager would return $800. Pro golfers on the Skechers’ sponsorship roster include Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champion, and two-time LPGA major winner Brooke Henderson.
Under Armour is listed at +1000 at Bovada, followed by Adidas at +1200 and Uniqlo at +1500.
Adidas Golf President Jeff Lienhart, who spent 15 years at Nike and was there when Woods joined, said as much as Woods moves the needle in the golf world, Adidas has taken a different approach in recent years, as evidenced by last year’s signing of former No. 1 amateur Ludvig Aberg who won titles on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour within five months of turning pro.
“He always gets the eyeballs when he shows up somewhere. So I'm sure he's got something up his sleeve and has big plans,” Lienhart said of Woods during an interview from Kapalua, Maui. “We've had a strategy in place for the last six, seven years, which is more of a young gun strategy, so with the youth in our team of athletes we’re really excited about what’s to come.”
Longer shots to partner with Woods on an apparel deal, per Bovada, include Callaway (+3000), Ralph Lauren (+5000), Lululemon (+8000) and Boss (+10000).
Woods indicated in his recent post that he might be playing in The Genesis Invitational, scheduled for Feb. 15-18 at Riviera Country Club outside Los Angeles. Odds are we’ll know Woods’ next stop by then.
