Here's How Much Tiger Woods Made From Nike Over 27 Years

Highlights

• Tiger Woods and Nike ended their 27-year partnership, marking the end of a significant sports and golf marketing era.
• Woods won 14 major titles and revolutionized golf while wearing Nike gear, making him one of the first billionaire athletes.
• Woods played at the Genesis Invitational tournament on February 15th, and has partnered with golf equipment and apparel company TaylorMade.

After 27 years of partnership and over $500 million in sponsorships, Tiger Woods and the massive sports apparel company Nike have parted ways.

When Woods was still a rising star in 1996, the two signed a groundbreaking $40 million, five-year contract to become teammates, in what would be a decades-long collaboration.

Updated, February 2024: Tiger Woods made headlines on February 15th, after his appearance at the PGA's Genesis Invitational. According to CNN, Woods, 48, "carded five birdies and six bogeys as he took to the course again," despite suffering from back spasms.

Woods' post-Nike endorsement career was also in the news ahead of the Genesis Invitational tournament. On February 16th, Business Insider profiled Woods' partnership with TaylorMade (a golf equipment manufacturer), reporting: "On Tuesday [February 13th], Tiger Woods and TaylorMade, a maker of golf equipment and apparel, announced an expanded partnership with a new golf-accessory line named 'Sun Day Red.'"

Insider contrasted Woods' long-standing partnership with Nike and his new TaylorMade deal, asserting that "what Nike never did was make Woods a full-fledged partner and give him an ownership stake in his brand at the company." According to the outlet: "when Woods' most recent contract expired, that appears to be exactly what TaylorMade did."

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Woods racked up 14 significant wins while wearing Nike gear, and the company established its golf brand around his domination, charisma, and cultural effect. In turn, this led to future record-breaking contracts between Woods and the sportswear giant.

However, Nike has chosen to dissolve their partnership with Woods, who is now 48 years old and suffering from injuries; both sides have hinted that Woods may soon have the option to sign another endorsement agreement.

On January 8th, Woods disclosed the end of his Nike partnership in a tweet:

Woods attached two images to the tweet, one of which was a brief statement; it read:

"Over 27 years ago, I was fortunate to start a partnership with one of the most iconic brands in the world. The days since have been filled with so many amazing moments and memories, if I started naming them, I could go on forever.

"Phil Knight's passion and vision brought this Nike and Nike Golf partnership together and I want to personally thank him, along with the Nike employees and incredible athletes I have had the pleasure of working with along the way.

"People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter. See you in LA! Tiger"

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Nevertheless, this partnership's collapse signals the end of a huge sports and golf marketing era.

Join us as we review Tiger Woods' 27-year contract with Nike, and how much Woods made across the lengthy deal.

$40 Million Endorsement Deal (1996)

Tiger Woods, then a 20-year-old golfing superstar, signed a breakthrough five-year, $40 million endorsement agreement with Nike in 1996.

This was an unusual amount for such a young player at the time, demonstrating Nike's confidence in Woods' superstar potential.

The agreement marked the start of a long-term partnership that boosted both Woods as a revolutionary sports celebrity, and Nike Golf as an industry leader.

With Woods as the face of its brand from head to toe, Nike established the athletic apparel standard in golf while benefiting greatly from Woods' continuous dominance on the course, as he won tournaments and major championships throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Nike Made Woods the Face Of Its Golf Line

To establish their golf credibility and have a transcendent athlete represent the company, Nike signed Tiger Woods in 1996.

Woods' already impressive triumphs, his youthful appearance, his sense of style, and his sheer dominance on the green made him an instant star. Nike branded Woods from head to toe in their apparel, basing their advertising efforts on his inventiveness and agility.

When Woods won tournaments while clad in Nike hats, shirts, slacks, and shoes, he ushered in the era of athletic wear in golf.

With Woods as its emblem-bearing standard-bearer, Nike Golf became prominent in equipment and apparel.

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Woods Won 14 Major Titles Wearing Nike Gear

Tiger Woods broke golf records from the late 1990s and into the 2000s, all the while wearing Nike attire and gear from head to toe.

His success in significant championships while wearing the iconic Nike "Swoosh" emblem made him the ideal marketing ambassador for Nike Golf.

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Overall, despite injuries that derailed some of his career, Woods won an incredible 14 major championships while under contract with Nike.

From the legendary 1997 Masters in red Nike shirts and hats to his dramatic 2019 Masters comeback in Nike gear, Woods' brilliance catapulted Nike to the top of golf fashion.

$100 Million Over Five More Years (2001)

Following a remarkable five-year period during which he simultaneously held all four major titles and established himself as the most renowned athlete globally, Tiger Woods inked a historic five-year, $100 million extension of his contract with Nike in 2001.

At the time, this arrangement broke all previous records for an individual athlete's sponsorship. It took Woods' relationship with Nike to new heights, making him the face of the company and bringing in over $20 million annually at the young age of 25.

With this innovative new remuneration structure, Nike showed that they are committed to positioning themselves around Woods as the best golfer in the world for years to come, riding his unwavering success and notoriety.

Another $320 Million Over Eight Years (2013)

Tiger Woods proved he was still the most significant attraction in golf in 2013 when he inked a $320 million, eight-year contract with Nike.

At the time, the $40 million annual contract was the most significant endorsement agreement ever for a single athlete. It proved that Woods remained Nike's most influential athlete, in generating news and sales.

It was widely expected that Woods would play into his latter years with this collaboration.

Even though injuries further limited Woods' career, Nike's investment paid off when he captured the Masters in 2019 and captured the attention of spectators wearing Nike gear at 43.

$200 Million Over Ten Years As A Lifetime Contract (2021)

Nike reaffirmed its dedication to the older – but still massively famous – Tiger Woods in 2021, by signing him to a one-of-a-kind ten-year, $200 million lifetime contract.

Despite Woods' athletic decline as he approached his mid-40s, Nike sought to ensure that he remained a Nike athlete for the remainder of his career and into retirement.

This pact meant that for years, Nike would benefit from Woods' iconic status and famous career highlights. At the same time, Woods would be financially secure through the company's $20 million annual salary.

It was a fitting conclusion to recognize his immense contribution to transforming Nike Golf into one of the sport's most recognized brands since the initial $40 million agreement in 1996.

Building the Nike Golf Brand Empire

Tiger Woods was a 20-year-old sensation when he signed with Nike in 1996, and neither party anticipated the historical connection that would follow.

As Woods broke golf records while donning all-Nike gear, he was featured in creative Nike Golf advertising campaigns that capitalized on his extraordinary appeal.

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This partnership elevated Nike's standing as a golf apparel and equipment leader and connected its innovative brand image to Woods' exceptional play and athleticism.

Lifting Tiger To 'Billion-Dollar Athlete' Status

Woods and Nike Golf revolutionized the sport, and made Woods one of the first billionaires in sports history.

According to Forbes' real-time data, Tiger Woods' net worth stood at $1.1 billion as of January 2024, with an estimated $75.3 million in estimated annual earnings as of May 2023.

Nike continually rewarded Woods with historic endorsement deals as he won significant championships and attracted fans to the game.

In 2001, the deals were for $100 million over five years; in 2013, they increased to $320 million over eight years, as Woods solidified his reputation in the game.

Nike ensured golf's biggest star would generate profits while donning the recognizable swoosh at every turn – by giving Woods record-breaking pay for over 20 years.

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How Much Did Tiger Woods Make From Nike?

When Nike signed 20-year-old phenom Tiger Woods in 1996, neither expected the legendary partnership to unfold in the way it did.

As Woods dominated golf's record books, sporting Nike apparel head-to-toe, he became the face of innovative Nike Golf marketing campaigns, leveraging his transcendent popularity.

When all was said and done, Tiger Woods reportedly netted around $660 million for the duration of his long and lucrative Nike deal.

This combination boosted Nike ahead in the golf world as an equipment and fashion leader, associating its cutting-edge brand image with Woods' athleticism and greatness.

Nike marked the end of their partnership with Tiger on Instagram:

Alongside an image reading "It was a hell of a round, Tiger," the brand wrote:

Tiger, you challenged your competition, stereotypes, conventions, the old school way of thinking. You challenged the entire institution of golf.

You challenged us. And most of all, yourself. And for that challenge we’re grateful.

Woods benefited tremendously as well, with his lucrative Nike partnership undoubtedly helping to build his $1.1 billion net worth.

In announcing the end of his Nike partnership, Tiger Woods cryptically hinted that "another chapter" would follow, hinting at the possibility of a new collaborative partnership; Woods did not elaborate.

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