In '96, Tiger Woods burst onto the professional golf scene, clinching the Masters in '97 and setting the stage for a stellar career. With fifteen major tournament victories under his belt, including five Masters and a trio of wins in other prestigious tournaments, he stands shoulder to shoulder with legends like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Gene Sarazen, part of an exclusive club with career Grand Slams.
Tiger held the world number one ranking for an astounding 683 weeks, a record that still echoes through the fairways. Forbes doesn't just tag him as a golfing great; they call him the first billionaire golfer, joining the elite league of global athletes with a net worth of $1.1 billion. It's not just his swing that's brought in the big bucks; his business smarts and savvy endorsements have gotten him where he is.
Yet, Woods' story isn't just about birdies and bogeys. It's a tale of triumph over personal and physical hurdles, a publicised setback met with grit and determination. Tiger's impact transcends the greens, reshaping the cultural landscape of golf and smashing barriers in a sport that historically leaned a bit towards the fairer side. He's not just a golfer; Woods is a symbol of resilience.
Tiger Woods’ Sponsors
Woods is known for endorsing numerous products throughout his career, including Rolex, TaylorMade, Bridgestone, Gatorade, Hero, and AT&T. Woods has made a lot of money through his partnerships and sponsors, with Nike being one of the most famous and valuable endorsement deals that he signed in 1996. Additionally, he is sponsored by other big names like Monster Energy and Accenture, making $68 million from endorsements alone in 2022.
In a twist that sent shockwaves through the sports world, Woods and Nike, after an impressive 27-year run, have called it quits.
Forbes estimates that this iconic partnership has poured over $500 million into Woods' coffers before taxes and agent fees. This figure puts him in a league, leaving even the formidable Cristiano Ronaldo trailing by $300 million. According to Forbes, this deal significantly propelled Woods into the billionaires' club, making him one of the only two active athletes to sport that three-comma badge, the other being NBA legend LeBron James.
However, the breakup with Nike didn't come as a shock to some. Woods has been seen sporting FootJoy shoes in recent tournaments, citing leg mobility issues from a brutal car accident a year prior. When questioned about the Nike split, he remained elusive, simply stating, "I'm still wearing their product."
In the heyday of his career, the Nike deal wasn't just about dollars – it was about the iconic swoosh becoming synonymous with Tiger Woods. A partnership that weathered a 2009 storm stood firm amid losing several sponsors. It was a connection that went beyond endorsements; it symbolised resilience.
Read more About Tiger Woods Career Earnings
FAQ's On Tiger Woods Sponsors
A. Tiger Woods is the CEO of TGR, which comprises multiple brands, including TGR Design (a golf course design company), The TGR Foundation (a charitable foundation), TGR Live (an events production company), and The Woods Jupiter (an upscale sports restaurant).
A. Tiger Woods was born in Cypress, California, United States.
A. Tiger Woods held the top ranking 11 times, with his reign of 281 weeks between June 12, 2005, and October 30, 2010, being the longest consecutive streak.
A. With 82 PGA TOUR victories, Tiger Woods and Sam Snead share the record for the most wins in PGA TOUR history.