Nike set to announce £155m 10-year sponsorship deal with Rory McIlroy
Golf’s current World number one Rory McIlroy has signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Nike, reportedly worth £155 million.
Rory McIlroy
The deal, which is expected to be announced later today, has already been widely reported will see McIlroy walk away from other partnerships with brands such as Spanish bank Santander, watchmakers Audemars Piguet and Dubai-based golf estate Jumeirah, while US sunglasses manufacturer Oakley is to sue the player in a bid to retain its sponsorship deal that ended on 31 December last year.
A statement by Oakley released last week read: “Oakley’s contract with Rory has a right of first refusal that permits us to retain Rory as an Oakley endorser by matching any offer he receives covering our products.
“These types of provisions are common in the industry. Oakley values Rory and will do all it can to retain him,” it added.
Nike formerly sponsored disgraced sports stars such as Tiger Woods and Lance Armstrong and currently sponsors Real Madrid striker Ronaldo and Basketball star LeBron James.
The deal is expected to be formally announced at a press conference being held in Abu Dhabi later today.