Tiger Woods issued frank warning over next move after quitting £500m Nike deal

As he gets about to part ways with athletic giants Nike after 27 years, five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods has received some severe warnings from an academic.

Tiger Woods has been warned that major brands could think twice about offering him a deal due to the ‘controversy’ that has impacted his personal life away from the golf course.

This Monday, the 15-time major winner announced the end of his 27-year relationship with longtime sponsor Nike. At the end of last year, his last contract, a ten-year arrangement that was negotiated back in 2013, came to an end, leaving both sides to face an awkward choice.

Eventually, the 48-year-old golf legend and the Oregon-based sportswear giants have parted ways, with several major brands now vying to secure his endorsement. According to Bunkered, the five-time Masters champion could be courted by firms including Greyson Clothiers and On Running for his next deals.

Notwithstanding the alleged attention from those businesses, the former world champion has received a warning that potential sponsors may be discouraged from sponsoring him due to his past personal troubles. Professor of economics at the Sheffield Business School Rob Wilson starkly acknowledged that businesses could be reluctant to hire Woods in an interview with Altindex.com.

The American sporting icon was embroiled in a major international scandal back in 2009 when it emerged that he had engaged in extra-martial affairs. Moreover, the veteran golfer also was the subject of controversy when he was arrested for driving under the influence in 2017.

The researcher has now clarified that Woods could have trouble landing a contract similar to the one he inked with Nike ten years ago. “I’d imagine that another brand will try to sign Tiger,” he clarified. It will, however, be on far shorter terms. Most likely, a young company like Castore is riding high on the remainder of his career and may be undervalued.

“There will be brands who won’t go near Tiger due to his controversy,” Wilson continued as he explained his reasoning. “However, we’ll find that most people will discuss his golf instead of his history. Tiger is still world-famous, and he does demonstrate value to plenty of companies.

The professor added that supposed reluctance may come down to a clash in terms of company brand values, saying: “There will, however, be brands who won’t consider Tiger a part of their brands due to their values. That goes for any athlete with similar charges, though.”

“He had an extraordinary career with plenty of highs and lows, but every athlete gets to a point where they’re beyond saturation. Tiger is playing decent golf nowadays, but he isn’t hitting the heights he once did. He’s aged beyond that point and the ongoing opportunity for his sporting success is starting to diminish with age.”

Woods’ split with Nike appeared to be amicable, with the apparel firm wishing their former partner a fond farewell: “It was a hell of a round, Tiger. Throughout the course of our partnership, we have witnessed along with the rest of the world, how Tiger not only redefined the sport of golf, but broke barriers for all of sport.

“We watched him set records, challenge conventional thinking and inspire generations of people around the globe. We are grateful to have been a part of it. We wish him the best in the future.”