After Tiger Woods’ Nike Split, Insiders Speculate About New Sponsor: Malbon Golf, Skechers or Greyson Clothier Could Be Leading Contenders

After Tiger Woods split from Nike, insiders are speculating about a new sponsor. Malbon Golf, Skechers or Grayson Clothier could be the main contenders.

Tiger Woods and Nike confirmed on Instagram on Monday that they have ended their fruitful 27-year relationship. But the golf legend’s post left his fans with the million dollar question. Where will it go next? After thanking Nike co-founder Phil Knight and others, Woods said: “People are asking if there is another chapter. Yes, there will definitely be another chapter. See you in LA!”

Some brands are on the fringes of golf, but as Woods approaches the second half of his professional career, Spurwink River consultant Matt Powell told FN that the perfect landing spot would be an established brand in the sport that offers both footwear and clothing. He said he would. .

Andrew Campion, Nike

Some in the Instagram comments section below Woods’ post took their best guesses as to which brand will sign him next. One of the most discussed brands is Malbon Golf.

It’s only natural for fans to speculate that Malbon Golf is where Woods will land. Founded in 2017 by Stephen Malbon and Erika Malbon, the brand is based in the woods of Los Angeles mentioned at the end of the post. In early January, former Nike athlete Jason Day left the Swoosh to stay with the brand. Others speculate that Grayson is close to a deal with Clothiers. The brand, founded in 2015 by veteran Ralph Lauren designer Charlie Schaefer, has been in the news recently for the Woods family. In December 2023, reports surfaced that Grayson Clothiers was engaged to Charlie Woods, son of the golf icon.

“I’m not saying he (Tiger Woods) will follow [his son], but he might. “He may think this is an important event to support his son,” Powell said.

Sportbusiness.com editor-in-chief Callum McCarthy suggested Skechers as a potential destination. “I’d be shocked if she wasn’t wearing high heels in Augusta,” McCarthy wrote.

Manhattan Beach, Calif.-based Skechers has made big strides in golf in recent years. For example, brand ambassador Matt Fitzpatrick won the 2023 RBC Heritage and 2022 US Open wearing the brand’s comfortable Go Golf Pro 5 Hyper. In July 2023, when Skechers announced its second quarter 2023 earnings results, CEO Robert Greenberg was quoted as saying: The company’s presence in the high-performance golf segment contributed to its success during the period. Skechers, a marketing powerhouse for decades, has signed celebrities like Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg in recent years. The company has also signed NBA players Julius Randle and Terence Mann and has not shied away from its big ambitions to dominate more sports in the future.

The brand has also signed several professional athletes in the final stages of their storied careers, including running icons Meb Keflezighi in 2011 and Kara Goucher in 2014. Woods turned professional in 1996.

FN has reached out to Skechers for comment on the potential deal. Another brand mentioned in the comments below Woods’ post is TaylorMade. But for “See You in LA” fans, TaylorMade is based in Carlsbad, just outside of the Los Angeles area.

Ten executives were also forced to quash rumors on Monday that they would sign a contract with the brand. As for co-CEOs, Mark Maurer began by discussing the rumors at the ICR 2024 Conference on Monday. “We’ve heard the rumors and we hope Tiger can find a great new partner, but it’s not us.

Amid speculation about Woods’ next golf brand, Powell warned that a major deal may not be done. “One thing to remember is he’s been in the game and hasn’t sold much since he left, especially since the car crash [in February 2021],” Powell said. “He played too little and he didn’t play well. He certainly got the ratings when he played, and the ratings kept going up, but he was really unmatched in terms of merchandise sales. “I don’t know if I’m going to become an athlete who moves a lot of products,” he said.

He continued: “What we have to look at here is what are the expectations of the brand, what are the expectations of the brand and what are the returns and can you afford to spend a lot of money on an athlete if you can’t get a return?” “In this investment.”