Mcilroy Officially Unveiled As Nike Ambassador
As expected, Nike Golf officially announced the signing of world number one Rory McIlroy at a press conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening, in a multi-year agreement that will see the Northern Irishman sport Nike clubs, balls, footwear, glove, apparel, headwear and accessories – and could see the 23-year-old become one of the highest paid sportsmen in the world.
McIlroy will make his debut as a Nike ambassador when he faces new stablemate and long-time Nike representative, Tiger Woods, at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship.
Just over five years after turning professional, signing a series of sponsorship deals worth around £1 million in the process, Rory has already earned in the region of $43 million in on-and-off course earnings.
Although exact figures have not been released, the new deal has been widely reported to be worth $200 million over ten years – the biggest contract Nike has with any golfer.
Seven months ago Forbes magazine placed the golfer at number 91 on the money list of highest earning sportsmen and women in the world, earning $17.4 million between June 2011 and June 2012. The Nike deal alone, according to a report from the Irish Times, puts him somewhere in the mid-60s.
Since June, McIlroy has won the USPGA Championship, two Fed-Ex Cup tournaments and the DP World Tour Championship, been world number-one, topped the money lists on both sides of the Atlantic, plus a $1.5 million in appearance fees in China at the end of last year, all of which edges him towards the top 25 before striking a ball in 2013.
If the two-time major winner can win a handful of tournaments between now and the summer, McIlroy – ho only turns 24 in May – could invade the next top-ten Forbes money list in June.
He is the second youngest person in the top 100, just two months older than Oakland Raiders linebacker, Rolando McCain.
McIlory has already starred in his first Nike commercial, taking on Tiger Woods at the driving range. Check it out at Sport Industry TV.
In the four years since Nike ambassador Tiger Woods won his 14th Major, 13 golfers have claimed their first Major victory, yet only McIlroy has progressed to claim a second – winning both by a dominant eight shots.
On the deal, McIlroy said: ‘I chose Nike for a number of reasons. It’s a company and a brand that really resonates with me. It’s young. It’s athletic. It’s innovative. They are committed to being the best, as am I. Signing with Nike is another step towards living out my dream.’
Cindy Davis, President of Nike Golf, added: ‘Rory is an extraordinary athlete who creates enormous excitement with his on-course performance, while at the same time connecting with fans everywhere. He is the epitome of a Nike athlete, and he is joining our team during the most exciting time in Nike Golf’s history. We are looking forward to partnering with him to take his remarkable career to the next level.’
