This article contains information about American professional golfer Tiger Woods’ brand endorsement deals and business ventures.
Tiger Woods’ brand endorsements— Bridgestone Golf, Hero MotorCorp, Vantelin Kowa, Monster Energy, TaylorMade, Upper Deck, 2K Gaming, Aion, Nike, Rolex, Centinel Spine, Tag Heuer, Golf TV, Autograpgh, AT&T, Gatorade, Gillette, Titleist, American Express, Accenture, Golf Digest, EA Sports
Also read: Top 10 best golfers of all time (Male)
CURRENT ENDORSEMENTS
Bridgestone Golf
In 2016, Woods signed a multi-year deal with US-based sports equipment company Bridgestone Golf.
The agreement allows Tiger to help in the development of Bridgestone Golf balls. Woods has also featured in digital, social, print, and broadcast marketing globally as a Bridgestone Golf ambassador, having also supported the Bridgestone ball-fitting programme.
In November 2020, Bridgestone Golf and Woods extended their partnership by signing a new multi-year agreement.
Hero MotorCorp
In December 2014, Indian two-wheeler vehicle manufacturer Hero MotoCorp signed a four-year endorsement deal with Woods reportedly worth US$36 million.
The deal was further extended in November 2018, and then again in 2021.
Vantelin Kowa
Woods initially signed a three-year endorsement deal with Japanese pharmaceutical brand Vantelin Kowa in June 2011 to endorse a Japanese heat rub used to relieve muscle and joint pain.
Monster Energy
Monster Energy and Tiger Woods joined hands in December 2016.
As per the deal, the Monster Energy logo has appeared on Woods’ golf kit, which includes his kit bag, driving covers, and golf tees.
While Woods has been using a Monster Energy-sponsored golf bag since 2016, a contract extension between the two, announced in November 2020, has seen his role expanded to also cover the Monster Hydro SuperSport range.
TaylorMade
Woods signed an equipment deal with TaylorMade in January 2017.
As per the deal, Woods uses TaylorMade’s driver, fairway woods, irons, and wedges.
Since the end of his 27-year-long association with Nike in January 2024, reports have emerged stating that Woods might be on the verge of signing an apparel deal with TaylorMade, with the US-based golf equipment manufacturer having reportedly filed a trademark for “Sunday Red”.
Upper Deck
Woods became an exclusive spokesperson and autograph signer for Upper Deck in 2001.
2K Games
2K Games announced its partnership with Woods in March 2021, around the same time the company acquired HB Studios as part of its commitment to producing golfing simulation games.
Woods’ partnership with 2K Games includes the rights for his name and likeness to appear exclusively in the PGA TOUR 2K franchise as well as any other golf games published by 2K Games during the partnership term. Woods also plays an active role in the development of PGA TOUR 2K games as an Executive Director and consultant, while 2K Games partners with his TGR Foundation, which offers award-winning STEM curricula and college-access programmes to underserved students.
Aion
Founded in 2016, Aion is a multi-tier blockchain network designed for interoperability among blockchains.
Although little information is publicly available on the matter, according to his official website, Woods has a sponsorship deal in place with Aion.
PAST ENDORSEMENTS
Nike
American athleticwear and footwear giant Nike first signed a sponsorship deal with Woods in 1996. The two stuck by each other through many ups and downs.
In January 2024, Woods announced that he would be parting ways with Nike, ending an association that reportedly helped him generate more than US$660 million in revenue.
Rolex
Swiss luxury watchmaker Rolex first roped in Woods in May 1997 on a five-year deal valued at US$7 million annually according to The New York Times.
In October 2011, the two joined hands again, signing another five-year deal that would last until 2016.
Centinel Spine
In the past, Woods suffered from pain in his lower back, known as the lumbar spine, and subsequently had to undergo discectomy to relieve a pinched nerve in 2014.
To educate the public on this spinal issue, US-based spinal device company Centinel Spine partnered with Woods in June 2019.
The partnership saw the release of Woods’ patient journey video, titled Tiger Woods: Reborn. This was Woods’ first-hand account of his remarkable recovery from incapacitating back pain — a result of his successful spinal fusion surgery through the support of Centinel Spine’s technology.
Tag Heuer
Swiss luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer first signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with Woods in 2002, which was later extended until 2011.
However, following revelations about his personal life, like many other brands, Tag Heuer decided against renewing Woods’ contract when it ran out in 2011.
GolfTV
In November 2018, Woods signed a multi-year exclusive deal with Discovery, which granted the company special access to his behind-the-scene moments. This footage was telecast on Discovery’s GolfTV platform.
Autograph
Autograph, a digital collectibles company, debuted the first set of NFTs co-designed by Woods in September 2021.
In 2022, Autograph also inked a long-term partnership deal with the PGA Tour.
AT&T
Following revelations about his personal life, American multinational telecommunications company AT&T decided to cut ties with the record all-time PGA Tour winner on the New Year’s Eve in 2009.
Although AT&T had a long-term deal in place with Woods, the latter having served as the host of the AT&T PGA Tour since 2007, AT&T reportedly did not pay him any compensation when it abruptly terminated his contract.
Gatorade
Gatorade, an American sports-themed beverage brand owned by PepsiCo, announced the signing of a five-year partnership deal with Woods in October 2007.
According to a Golfweek Magazine report, the deal was estimated to be worth around US$100 million at the time.
In February 2010, Gatorade announced that it would cut ties with Woods but continue supporting the Tiger Woods Foundation.
Gillette
Gillette, an American brand of safety razors and other personal care products, signed a four-year partnership deal reportedly worth US$20 million with Woods in October 2007.
In December 2010, the Procter & Gamble-owned brand announced that it would not be renewing its contract with Woods.
Titleist
In October 1996, Titleist, an American brand of golf equipment, roped in a young Tiger Woods on a five-year deal reportedly worth US$20 million.
In 2002, Woods switched to Nike drivers and clubs.
American Express
American Express (Amex), an American holding company and multinational financial services corporation, first roped in Woods in May 1997 on a five-year deal reportedly worth US$13 million, with an up-front fee of US$5 million.
Woods and Amex later signed another five-year deal that run until 2007.
Accenture
Accenture, an Irish-American professional services company headquartered in Dublin, first signed a partnership deal with Woods in 2003.
Following the revelation of his personal life scandals, Accenture was one of the many brands that cut ties with the golfer.
Golf Digest
Golf Digest, a monthly golf magazine published by Warner Bros, roped in Woods back in 1998.
The two had a long-standing relationship that lasted until 2011, when the publication cut ties with Woods.
EA Sports
EA Sports, a division of Electronic Arts that develops and publishes sports simulation video games, had a long-term partnership deal in place with Woods.
The partnership between EA Sports and Woods lasted from 1999 until 2013. After Woods’ departure, EA roped in Rory McIlroy as the face of its PGA Tour video game series in 2015.
INVESTMENTS
PopStroke
Founded in 2018, PopStroke is a golf entertainment concept featuring putting courses, food, and beverages.
In 2019, PopStroke and Woods announced a strategic partnership agreement, which made Woods responsible for designing the courses at all future PopStroke locations.
Full Swing Golf Simulators
Full Swing is an indoor golf simulation tech company.
In 2015, Full Swing Golf Simulators roped in Woods as a brand ambassador. Later that year, Woods became an investor in the company.
NEXUS Luxury Collection
NEXUS Luxury Collection, an international real estate hospitality development and asset management company, roped Woods as the face of its brand as well as an investor in 2019.
In September 2023, Woods, alongside fellow investor Justin Timberlake, launched the T-Squared Social, a premium sports and entertainment gastro pub, in New York. A month later, it was announced that a second T-Squared Social would open in the New Picture House Cinema on North Street in St Andrews, Scotland, located just three minutes from the Old Course.
TMRW Sports
In August 2022, TMRW Sports announced the launch of TGL, a new tech-infused golf league, in partnership with the PGA TOUR.
TGL is aimed at complementing the current PGA TOUR schedule. Woods and McIlroy are the first two golfers committed to compete in it, and the league’s inaugural season is set to kick off in January 2024.
TGR Design
In November 2006, Woods announced his intention to begin designing golf courses around the world through a new company, Tiger Woods Design.
A month later, he announced that the company’s first course would be in Dubai as part of a 25.3-million-square-foot development, which would be called “The Tiger Woods Dubai”. The Al Ruwaya Golf Course was initially expected to finish construction in 2009. However, due to many problems, in 2013, the partnership between Tiger Woods Design and Dubai Holding was dissolved.
The Woods
In September 2015, Tiger Woods announced the launch of “The Woods Jupiter” at Harbourside Place in Jupiter, Florida.
The Woods Jupiter is the flagship restaurant of Tiger Woods. It is a sports bar that serves American cuisine.
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