Nike dropping golf equipment (merged)

[Bob57]

Anyone who thinks Tiger won't get a gigantic deal with a new company is delusional.

 

That would be a medical company. Perhaps you have forgotten since the fire hydrant he hasn't signed a gigantic deal with anyone. Japanese pain products, muscle pharm at least they matched the Nike color scheme at the time. Tiger never did and now never will move product like MJ. Instead of Jumpman logo he could be Humpman (once his back and glutes are up to it..

[getair23]

I think I will keep my original mint Nike blade irons a little bit longer now...

thinking the same thing. I almost hit the 3 iron today.

[cvhookem63]

Sad day for those of us who play Nike clubs. So many hot takes and hilarious comments in this thread...

[craz-e]

sad to see them go, never really had much in the way of Nike equipment over the years but when I have tested some of their irons they have certainly impressed me (Nike VR blades, VR Pro, original pro combo's)

 

The golf industry is a tough nut to crack

[pbfoot]

I'm surprised it was Nike first, but TaylorMade is next to exit. When they get bought TM clubs will slowly be phased out. I would imagine some of the players will stick with Nike apparel and even clubs for awhile. Eventually, they will get other club deals and maybe move over.

 

As far as Rory goes, he needs a different style putter, not necessarily a different brand. I think he should go to a more mallet style putter.

 

TM clubs will be phased out? If whomever buys them wanted to consolidate (unless you're UA), it would make much more sense to fold your own brand into TM. They have more name recognition than probably anyone outside of Titleist.

[wavyRT]

So sad mite have to quit golf now.

[SixSixGolf]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

You're assuming Tiger will be back, and no one will pay him like Nike did, he's pretty much a non-factor anymore.

 

You're assuming he has to win tournaments to sell product. As long as the empty shell of a man that was once called Tiger Woods exists, his brand will sell clubs more than any other player.

[wldchld22]

Uh oh. Nike clubs may be like Twinkies. Better buy and hoard them and someday get rich.

 

I was wondering the same thing. In 20 years, what will my investment on a $150 Vapor Flex Driver be?

 

How at those Wilson fat shafts doing for you?

[acy274]

Report: Tiger Woods will make equipment change from Nike "methodically"

[dlamb83]

This is as I call it a Jordan speith effect. His deal with under armour and titleist had escalators. He got base for playing titleist then if he won 2 majors it went up. Then under armour did his 10 year deal on clothes and shoes and now titleist has to pay under armour to have titleist on his bag.

 

Oh! And rumor is that under armour owns his bag. That's why titleist has to pay under armour to have titleist on it. I could see how this would be good for other companies. Let the apparel companies pay them for apparel have the club companies pay for using clubs but get a kick back.

[TheMoneyShot]

Just gonna leave this right here.....

http://valueguide.pga.com/library/23845/driver/nike/vapor-fly/

 

Ouch!

[BlackM00Nlight]

Hope Nike takes care of the guys at the Oven. 80-90% of the staff was let go effective immediately. The shop guys, MT and DF are still around taking care of athletes through the end of the year. Wonder if Tiger will start his own line of clubs? Really sucks for the R&D guys who relocated families to work at Nike.

 

Now that Nike golf clubs are done.. what did the new stuff look like you saw at the Oven?! What are we missing out on?!

[tannyhoban]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

You're assuming Tiger will be back, and no one will pay him like Nike did, he's pretty much a non-factor anymore.

 

You're assuming he has to win tournaments to sell product. As long as the empty shell of a man that was once called Tiger Woods exists, his brand will sell clubs more than any other player.

 

If thats true why wasnt Nike #1?

[chip22]

http://www.golf.com/equipment/nike-will-stop-making-golf-clubs-golf-balls-golf-bags

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/2016/08/03/nike-golf-equipment-apparel-tiger-woods/88047178/

 

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/nike-exiting-golf-club-business-to-focus-on-footwear-apparel

 

If this is indeed true, which given the amount of credible sources I believe it is, what now for Tiger, Rory, etc?

[CallTaylor]

Businesses are not in business to hire and pay employees money and benefits. Businesses are in business to make money. As soon as the CEO/CFO deemed golf equipment a losing proposition, it's time to cut it loose. There's no sense in paying reps and sales people money and siphoning the money from more profitable areas of the company, all in the name of keeping employees on the books. It's terrible for the employees but hopefully they've proven their worth and can be used elsewhere in Nike. That's capitalism. That's my two cents. Nike ownership thought long and hard about this. I'm sure it wasn't decided in a few days.

[MarkCPA]

"Tiger continues to be a staunch and massive brand ambassador for Nike," his agent, Mark Steinberg, told ESPN.com on Wednesday. "Tiger and I will put together a plan on the hard goods side of the business and will discuss working with new companies."

 

from ESPN

 

Mark Steinberg must think he can sell bikinis to Eskimos. The line to sign a guy who doesnt play competitive golf anymore isn't going to be as long as they think, no matter what his status in the history of the game is.

[wldchld22]

Pxg buys the oven and patents? I always thought the designs were great. Materials were lacking imo.

[dlygrisse]

So sad mite have to quit golf now.

 

You mite huh?

 

If this was the only thing stopping you sounds like you need to take up tennis or something.

[jffuller]

Anyone who thinks Tiger won't get a gigantic deal with a new company is delusional.

 

So, if you owned a equipment company you would fork over big bucks to a guy who hasn't won a major in over 8 years, had a win in 3 years, had 3 (maybe more) back surgeries, and is 40 years old ? Sorry, I wouldn't want you running my company. :)

 

So you wouldn't sign the guy who moves the needle more than anyone else in golf if he tees it up again? No need to hire you at my company.

[GC70]

I just lost a 1/2 hour of my life I'll never get back!

[braincramp52]

Anyone who thinks Tiger won't get a gigantic deal with a new company is delusional.

 

So, if you owned a equipment company you would fork over big bucks to a guy who hasn't won a major in over 8 years, had a win in 3 years, had 3 (maybe more) back surgeries, and is 40 years old ? Sorry, I wouldn't want you running my company. :)

Michael Jordan hasn't played a basketball game for 13 years and still makes something like $100 million a year in endorsements. Would you say the same thing about him? Personal issues aside, Tiger is the best golfer of this generation and will bring in a ton of money for whoever signs him.

 

The only reason Jordan is still pulling those numbers in is because Nike has done a fantastic job of marketing his image and the Air Jordan shoe. I'm not saying Tiger won't be very marketable. Just saying a golf equipment company would be crazy to pay him 40 million dollars a year to play their stuff. That's a huge deal.

[wldchld22]

Serena swings a Wilson. Still wears Nike.

 

Was golf the only sport where they made equipment?

[Holy Moses]

Don't know why there would be a huge market for Tiger. His lack of play helped sink Nike Golf, just look at the numbers the last two years. We don't know if Tiger will even play again. I think Tiger signs with a new company this offseason, but it's a one year deal for $5 million with huge incentives.

 

the moment he steps back onto the golf course, the 5 million will go to about 100 Million.

 

Realistically. PXG i feel will/would be the only company to throw a lot of money at Tiger, Who else would be able to afford him? Titleist would be the smartest because its the most consistent with its products.

 

I think he plays whatever he wants, not whatever brings him the most money.

 

Is/can Nike force their staffers to use Nike clothing throughout the remainder of their contracts?

[JWATTS]

Serena swings a Wilson. Still wears Nike.

 

Was golf the only sport where they made equipment?

 

They make baseball gloves.

[cgasucks]

I feel sorry for the guys trying to sell their used Nike stuff that is their current company's line up. Since retailers are blowing it away, it only drags down the used versions even further down on Ebay and Craigslist..

[SixSixGolf]

Holy hell. There's going to be an incredible bidding war for Tiger and Rory.

 

You're assuming Tiger will be back, and no one will pay him like Nike did, he's pretty much a non-factor anymore.

 

You're assuming he has to win tournaments to sell product. As long as the empty shell of a man that was once called Tiger Woods exists, his brand will sell clubs more than any other player.

 

If thats true why wasnt Nike #1?

 

Because people buy clubs for a lot of different reasons.

[wldchld22]

Serena swings a Wilson. Still wears Nike.

 

Was golf the only sport where they made equipment?

 

They make baseball gloves.

 

Do they still?

[RealBoogKnight]

I had one of the Edwin watts employee tell me this last December i saw it coming I haven't owned anything Nike since the victory red pro combo irons

[MtlJeff]

Anyone who thinks Rory and Tiger won't sign huge deals elsewhere is a complete fool, Nike gave these guys big bucks to play their equipment and i'm sure they have no regrets

 

...Now if you'll excuse me, i'm going to read the title of the thread i'm posting in

 

Ahhh crap

[Holy Moses]

Anyone who thinks Tiger won't get a gigantic deal with a new company is delusional.

 

So, if you owned a equipment company you would fork over big bucks to a guy who hasn't won a major in over 8 years, had a win in 3 years, had 3 (maybe more) back surgeries, and is 40 years old ? Sorry, I wouldn't want you running my company. :)

 

So you wouldn't sign the guy who moves the needle more than anyone else in golf if he tees it up again? No need to hire you at my company.

 

He moves the needle if he plays and is somewhat successful and there is no guarantee he can make it through another season. You do realize Tiger grew Nike AND killed Nike?