Tiger Woods’s Decision to Sever Nike Ties Means to Let Go a Part of Father Earl Woods’s Legacy

A 27-year-old legacy comes to an end! The headlines in the golf world have been abuzz with Tiger Woods’s departure from the iconic brand. However, while the separation entails a whole lot of significance, there’s a more personal aspect to the alliance that Mr.T would be letting go of, courtesy of his late father, Earl Woods.

His dad was instrumental in his growth in the game and his alliance with the Swoosh. But now, as the 48-year-old leaves the long-standing partnership, it marks him relinquishing a legacy that holds up his late father on and off the greens.

Earl Woods and Nike: a relationship that sprouted because of Tiger Woods

A post was shared by NUCLR GOLF on its X handle after the confirmed split between the duo. The video shared showcases a Nike commercial narrated by Woods Senior and dubs it as “possibly the greatest” advertisement “of all time,” all the while dubbing him as a G.O.A.T.

The old video shared as a tweet portrays the legend and his relationship with his late dad in an advertisement, where the latter proudly describes the hopes he has for his kid. Moreover, the iconic commercial that arose from the iconic partnership shone a light on the impact the Hall of Famer’s father had on him, who “encouraged the development” of his child while preparing him for the harsh sport.

Is that all that his dad had to do with Swoosh? Not at all! The senior Woods was paid $150,000 a year when the 15-time major champ was an amateur while tagging him as a “talent scout.” Besides, the 82-time PGA Tour champ landing deals, which are reportedly worth a total of $500 million with the brand throughout the 27 years, can also be traced back to his father. How? Well, he had once called the initial $40 million five-year deal nothing short of “chump change.” The rest is history.

The relationship that the golfer had with his old man was truly a close one. The Nike commercial is but one of the moments that portray the beautiful relationship between the two.

Earl Woods, a father and friend to Tiger Woods

“My dad was my best friend and greatest role model,” said an aggrieved son after his father died on May 3, 2006, from prostate cancer. Adding on, Woods mentioned how he was “an amazing dad, coach, mentor, soldier, husband and friend,” as he took to remember his late dad, who passed away at the age of 74.

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The professional also made sure to emphasize how he would continue the “legacy of sharing and caring” left behind by his father. However, it seems not everything can work out in one’s way, as can be seen from the recent split with Swoosh, a partnership that originated back when Woods Senior was alive and guiding him. Nevertheless, it was truly one of the most fruitful alliances that the golf world has ever witnessed!

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