Speculation Persists Over Mcilroy Nike Move
World number one Rory McIlroy could be set to sign a new long-term partnership with Nike that would see his off-the-course earnings rise dramatically, according to multiple media sources.
Media reports indicate that a ten-year deal is on the cards, worth as much as £400m over the course of the contract, and would also see the Northern Irishman change equipment for the first time since turning professional.
McIlroy, who has career earnings of around £15m on-the-course, currently has a contract with Titleist, who supplies the golfer with clubs and balls – however that deal is set to expire at the end of 2012, barring an extension.
The 23-year-old also has sponsorship deals with Dubai-based hotel group Jumeirah, sunglasses manufacturer Oakley, Santander bank, and watchmaker Audemars Piguet – which has banked £6.25m for the golfer during his career, as well as bonuses for his two major championship wins to date.
In the past, Nike has routinely signed exclusive partnerships, meaning that settlement fees would be required for contracts not coming to an end.
Speaking on the speculation, McIlroy told AFP: ‘These rumours have been going around for years and it seems to always come up at this time of the year.’
‘I leave it up to Conor (Ridge, McIlroy’s manager) to sort out as it leaves me to concentrate on my golf. That’s all I can do and besides I have enough to think about trying to get the ball in the hole.’
‘Also I’ve got a very important end to my season coming up and I need to concentrate myself fully on that goal.’
If the media speculation turns out to be correct, McIlroy would join a Nike team that also includes former world number one Tiger Woods who, according to statistics revealed in the USA, earned £39m in off-course deals in 2011 alone. In the same year current world number one Rory McIlroy pocketed a comparatively small £3.7m.
Nike has continued its support of Tiger Woods over the past few years following a string of revelations about his personal life that saw the American lose a number of other endorsements.
