Tiger Woods Nike earnings compared to Michael Jordan and Roger Federer

It was one of the most famous and lucrative commercial partnerships of a generation. 

Tiger Woods started his relationship with Nike aged 20 and announced on Monday that he would part ways with the brand, 27 years and 15 majors later.

Woods has changed the game of professional golf indelibly in the time that he was worn the “Swoosh.”

But how do Woods’ earnings with Nike compare to other icons who have transcended their sport?

Tiger Woods 

Woods’ sponsorship with Nike ends as the company continues to slim down its investment in golf, while the 47-year-old is also reaching the denouement of his storied career.

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It is estimated by Joe Pompliano that Woods has earned between $500million and $660m across four endorsement deals with Nike. His first deal in 1996 was worth $40m across five years and when that ran out, it was bumped up to $100m for another five years.

An eight-year extension estimated between $16om-320m followed, while his $200m 10-year contract signed in 2013 ended at the end of last year.

Roger Federer

Federer is perhaps the most obvious comparison to make with Woods given both became synonymous with Nike in their peak and the obvious parallels with individual sports.

The Swiss superstar won 20 Grand Slam singles titles across his garlanded tennis career and spent his prime years at Nike, before signing a mega-money Uniqlo deal in 2018.

According to Pompliano, Federer earned $10m-per-year across two decades at Nike – meaning his deal with the brand was worth around $200m (£157m).

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But after ditching his Nike partnership, Federer boosted his earning potential even further late into his career, as he was able to sign a $300m 10-year deal with Uniqlo without a retirement clause, meaning he is still earning $30m-per-year without a racquet in hand.

After leaving Nike, Federer was also able to sign a separate shoe contract with On Running and agreed an equity deal with the growing Swiss brand.

If we are to learn anything from Federer’s off-the-court earnings, it’s that Woods still has huge commercial value even as he enters the twilight of his career on the course.

Michael Jordan 

Woods is one of the highest paid sports stars ever, but even he cannot compete with basketball legend Michael Jordan with his commercial deal with Nike.

Jordan and Nike share arguably the most recognisable athlete-brand partnership in history, dating back to the brand offering him a deal in 1984 when he was first drafted by the Chicago Bulls.

In 1997, the American launched his own Jordan Brand as a sub-division of Nike, and he continues to rake in tens of millions every year from the company’s sales.

Jordan’s relationship with Nike, now into its 40th year, is said to have been worth up to £1.2 billion.

Ben Parsons joined bunkered as a Content Producer in 2023 and is the man to come to for all of the latest news, across both the professional and amateur games. Formerly of The Mirror and Press Association, he is a member at Halifax Golf Club and is a long-suffering fan of both Manchester United and the Wales rugby team.