Mcilroy Agrees Nike Sponsorship Deal
Nike has a signed a sponsorship deal with golfer Rory McIlroy worth a reported £156m, making him the second highest paid British sportsman behind David Beckham.
According to media reports in the US, McIlroy has already begun work with the brand, filming for a new commercial alongside fellow professional and new stablemate, Tiger Woods.
The Northern-Irishman will officially become a Nike athlete from January 2013, following months of speculation.
The golfer currently has sponsorship deals with Dubai-based hotel group Jumeirah, sunglasses manufacturer Oakley, Santander bank, and watchmaker Audemars Piguet which have earned him £6.25m during his career, as well as bonuses from his two major championship wins to date.
The biggest issue that McIlroy could face is the change in equipment, by moving from Titleist, who currently supply the world number one with clubs and balls. It will be the first time since turning professional that the 23 year-old has changed clubs.
The new 10-year contract, which starts at $200m before bonus clauses, rivals Beckham – a leading figure for Nike’s rivals adidas – who pockets approximately $46m annually.
Nike were reportedly eager to sign a new globally recognised athlete having ended its association with Lance Armstrong last month following the UCI’s decision to strip the cyclist of his titles and ban him from the sport.
