Stacey Kalamaras’ Post

Athletes today want more than cash. They’re increasingly asking for equity in the companies they endorse. Tiger Woods has certainly had his thoughts on this. Like Roger Federer, a fellow Nike alumnus, switching to the Swiss shoe company On, in part for a 3 percent stake. Patrick Mahomes and Christian McCaffrey also own equity stakes — Patrick in the recovery products company Hyperice and Christian in the sports drink maker Bodyarmor. Tiger: “People will ask if there is another chapter. Yes, there will certainly be another chapter.” #thinkingbeyondsports #athleteentrepreneur #athletesinbusiness #sportsbusiness https://lnkd.in/ehW4pCUr

Legends are not born every day and they don't always last 27 years and keep on going. Don't feel bad for Tiger Woods; he has a net worth of $800 million to $1.0 billion to carry him through his separation from Nike. The question we should be asking is, is Tiger the brand, or is Nike the brand? And who will lose the most from this? Tiger Woods is still an Icon in the industry. He brings in crowds, and he still makes money. Nike, on the other hand, is on a cost-cutting mission. Why? Times are changing they need to keep their brand fresh. But with whom and what segment of sports? I believe Nike has made a mistake. It has underestimated Golfer's and non-Golfers appreciation for this individual. Not long ago, Nike got out of the Golf Equipment business. The game has declined for years, and many Golf courses struggle with memberships. A number of older golf courses are targeted for housing development. Others now have "soccer golf." Yup! Try to sink a soccer ball in a bigger putting hole. Whatever the decision-making at #Nike , it needs to be smart about the future. Decisions like these, if they are wrong, will cost them. And they will know fairly quickly if Tiger is picked up by someone else. #retailing #strategy #ceo #technology #innovation #apparel #sportsmarketing

After 27 years, Tiger splits from Nike Tiger Woods announced yesterday on X that he’s ending his historic 27-year partnership with Nike. The news marks the end of one of golf’s most iconic images: Woods in a red Nike polo on the Sunday of a PGA Tour event. A deal for the ages: Nike signed Woods in 1996, the year he turned pro as a 20-year-old, in a $40 million contract that at the time was the largest golf endorsement deal. The signature Nike swoosh stayed with him throughout his illustrious career: Woods earned $500 million over the nearly three decades of the relationship, per estimates. But all good things come to an end…the sports world had speculated that Woods would hang up his Nike hat for good when the deal expired at the end of 2023. Since Nike shut down its golf equipment division in 2016, Woods has been using other brands’ clubs and balls and was most recently spotted on the course not in Nikes but in FootJoy shoes, which he’s said offer more stability as he recovers from an injury sustained during a car accident in 2021. What’s next for the Big Cat? Woods will likely play at the Genesis Invitational next month, his first official PGA Tour event in almost a year as he recovers from injury. But as far as brand deals go…no one knows for sure. Sports reporters think he’ll either start a brand within the golf company TaylorMade or create an entirely new brand. Some in the golf world thought Woods might take a page from tennis star Roger Federer’s book and sign a deal with On Running, the Swiss shoe brand. Federer separated from Nike in 2018 to join Uniqlo and invested in On Running—which gave him a $300 million payday when the company went public three years later. But the company’s chief executive shut down those rumors yesterday. Not the only departure from Nike…Jason Day left Nike just last week for the Malbon brand. While Nike has plenty of other big-name golfers donning the swoosh logo, its long-term future in the sport is uncertain.

Tiger Woods was Nike Golf, and Nike Golf was Tiger. Here's why I think this has been the most phenomenal sports partnership since Jordan: - Nearly, 3 decades of partnership displayed. - Some moments marked history - 15 Majors he won wearing ‘Tiger Red’ on a Sunday and an infamous ‘ball drop’ at Augusta. - Nike generated Billions of sales and created some of the greatest commercials in TV history. - Woods has earned from Nike $500 million and built the brand 'Tiger Woods' through the partnership. - Nike continued loyalty to him through controversy and injuries. - Nike handled the announcement well. No corporate messaging. No hint at a bitter feud. - An emotive acknowledgement of how significant the partnership had been for both parties was sent out by Nike to their patrons. I believe the hallmark of any great partnership lies in its inherent mutual beneficiary for the two sides involved. And for years, Tiger x Nike delivered on this. It’s unlikely I will ever witness a golf partnership like this one again. But Nike will most likely make such a partnership happen again in the future, they seem to have a hang of athlete marketing like no one else does. Am I wrong? #Partnership #TigerWoodsxNike #Nike #Golf #Sports

"Off Season" Free Agency has become a big source of interest by the fan base of the major sports leagues. The announcement that Tiger Woods and Nike are ending their 27 year relationship creates interesting opportunities for Tiger. I contend that Tiger is, at worst, ranked #1B behind Michael Jordan as the most influential athletes over the past 50 years when it comes to selling merchandise. They both have also impacted their respective sports in many other ways as well. And now Tiger is a "Tiger Brand" Free Agent. Golf, at all levels, is experiencing significant changes as it evolves at a pace never seen. LIV Golf has radically changed the professional golf landscape. Topgolf amongst others are impacting the sport in ways never experienced to the consumer side of the sport. We would not have been able to launch T36 Golf without the changes in the sport and the marketplace. It's a different landscape as we kick off 2024. Now to see Tiger's next move. He has the name recognition and a long track record of excellence and the ability to influence and sell merchandise. I am eager to see how Tiger capitalizes on this great opportunity to create a new path! #golf #golfnews #golfers #sportsbiz #sportsbusiness #sportsmarketing #brandidentity #branding https://lnkd.in/ebkpU7d7

Tiger Woods & Nike in numbers: 1996: Woods signs a five-year, $40 million contract with Nike at age 19, becoming the youngest Nike endorser at the time. 1997: Woods wins his first major championship, the Masters Tournament, solidifying his status as a global golf icon and propelling Nike to the top of golf apparel and equipment. 2001: Recognizing Woods' unparalleled dominance in golf, Nike signs him to a new 10-year contract worth a reported $100 million, making him the highest-paid athlete in the world at the time. 2006: Woods' partnership with Nike continues to flourish: he signs a seven-year contract worth an estimated $20-40 million a year, further solidifying his position as the face of the brand. 2013: At the height of his career, Woods signs another groundbreaking contract with Nike, worth an estimated more than $500 million, extending their partnership for another decade. 2016: Nike makes the strategic decision to exit the golf equipment business, ceasing production of golf clubs. However, Woods remains a Nike ambassador, continuing to wear Nike apparel and use Nike golf balls and shoes. 2024: After nearly 30 years of mutually beneficial partnership, Woods and Nike announce their amicable separation. The end of this era marks a milestone in golf history. ** Follow us (CuboPro B.V.) for trends and deals in the Sports&Finance industry! #sports #sportsbusiness #sportsbiz #linkedinsports

🏌️♂️ Breaking News: Tiger Woods and Nike, a Legendary Partnership Ends after 27 Years! 🚀 The iconic golfer and sportswear giant part ways, marking the conclusion of an era that redefined golf and sports sponsorship. Woods expressed gratitude for countless memories and amazing moments shared with Nike. 🌟 An Enduring Legacy: Since turning professional in 1996, Woods and Nike have shaped the world of golf. The partnership, one of the most lucrative in sports, witnessed Woods amassing 15 major championships, becoming a global sports icon. 🤝 A Grateful Farewell: Nike, in a statement, honored the privilege of partnering with one of the greatest athletes, acknowledging Woods' transformative impact on golf and sports as a whole. The company wished him the best in his future endeavors. 🏆 Major Milestones: From the initial $40 million contract in 1996 to a reported $200 million deal in 2013, Woods and Nike's journey has been synonymous with success. Despite challenges, including a personal scandal, Nike stood firm, offering unwavering support. 👏 Philanthropy and Vision: Woods thanked Phil Knight, Nike's co-founder, for his passion and vision throughout the partnership. As Woods embraces a new chapter, fans eagerly anticipate what's next for the golf legend. 🌍 Beyond Golf: Tiger Woods hinted at another chapter, and the golf community eagerly awaits his future endeavors. Stay tuned for updates and join us in celebrating an extraordinary partnership that left an indelible mark on the world of sports! 🔗 Link to Full Article Click the link https://lnkd.in/eGkKisjW #TigerWoods #Nike #Golf #SportsNews #EndOfAnEra #GolfLegends #Partnership #Athlete #SportsIcon #GolfHistory #Legendary #BreakingNews

Title: "Nike's Strategic Pivot: Navigating a New Course Without Tiger Woods" Update 1: As Nike embarks on a new era in golf, the recent split with Tiger Woods after 27 years has triggered a strategic pivot in their apparel and endorsements. Learn how the brand is navigating this change in our latest blog post. #Nike #Golf #BrandStrategy Update 2: Discover how Nike is charting a new course following its separation from Tiger Woods after 27 years. Our latest blog post delves into the market reaction and strategic changes in Nike's golf division. Check out the full story here: [insert link] #NikeGolf #StrategicShift #Endorsements Update 3: How is Nike adapting to life after Tiger Woods? Our new blog post examines the market's reaction and the strategic shift in Nike's golf apparel and endorsements. Dive into the details and Nike's new direction here: [insert link] #Nike #GolfApparel #BrandEndorsements {{Giphy.recentSearch.URL}}1. #NikeTigerSplit 2. #TigerWoodsExit 3. #NikeGolfShift 4. #EndorsementStrategy 5. #GolfApparelChange 6. #MarketReaction 7. #NikeEndorsementShift 8. #TigerWoodsNikeSplit 9. #GolfEndorsementChange 10. #NikeStrategicShift

It’s fascinating to see how athlete endorsements have evolved from simple sponsorships to billion-dollar lifetime deals. Personally, when it comes to which endorsement had the biggest impact on both the athlete and the brand, it's hard to argue against Michael Jordan's deal with Nike as the most transformative. The Air Jordan brand, launched in 1984, revolutionized sports marketing and the sneaker industry. This partnership not only made Jordan a billionaire but also turned Nike into a dominant global force in sportswear, especially in basketball. The Air Jordan line remains one of the most successful and culturally influential products in fashion and sports, even years after Jordan's retirement. On the brand side, Cristiano Ronaldo's lifetime deal with Nike is monumental. Ronaldo’s global appeal, particularly through his massive social media following (over 500 million across platforms), has given Nike exposure in markets far beyond sports. His endorsement extends Nike’s reach into new demographics, making the brand a lifestyle symbol as much as a sports icon. LeBron James’ deal with Nike is also incredibly impactful. His signature shoe line has become a cornerstone of Nike’s basketball strategy. Like Jordan, his influence transcends sports, and his lifetime deal ensures that his legacy with the brand will endure long after his playing career ends. Each of these endorsements showcases how athletes and brands can grow together, with impacts that go beyond the field or court, into global culture and lifestyle trends.

How important are the logos and symbols on football shirts and what role does patriotism play in branding and sponsorship? We look at two Adidas and Nike stories that made the headlines recently to try and figure out what it all means. Have a read: https://lnkd.in/ebPjJcEW   #brand #branding #sponsorship #football