GOLF gear manufacturers are circling the sport’s former world number one Rory McIlroy after his sponsor Nike announced it is stopping making equipment.
The Holywood star’s future with the sports giant is uncertain following its decision to quit production of golf clubs.
McIlroy signed a deal with Nike in 2013 worth a whopping £155 million.
However, last year sales at Nike's golf unit are said to have fallen by 8%, the third year of declining sales.
In a tweet yesterday, McIlroy said he was “sad” for Nike staff who would no longer be making clubs and putters, adding: “Your support will also be appreciated #TeamNike.”
The company is not out of the golf game entirely, however, as it plans to focus its energy into making footwear and clothing.
McIlroy, who is rarely seen without his cap featuring Nike’s ‘swoosh’ logo, will now have to find a new brand of golf club, along with bags and balls.
The company also has contracts with other golfing stars such as Tiger Woods and company president Trevor Edwards said it would continue to partner with big names.
“We’re committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel,” he said.
“We will achieve this by investing in performance innovation for athletes and delivering sustainable profitable growth for Nike Golf.”
Referring to the company’s roster of golfing ambassadors, the president of Nike’s golfing division added: “Athletes like Tiger, Rory and Michelle (Wie) drive tremendous energy for the game and inspire consumers worldwide. We’ll continue to ignite excitement with our athletes and deliver the best of Nike for the game.”
McIlroy – who sparked controversy by pulling out of Ireland’s Rio Olympics squad, citing fears of the Zika virus epidemic in Brazil – will now be a target for other golfing brands keen to have one of the sport’s most iconic figures wield their wares in front of millions of fans.
A source in Irish golf circles said the current world number four was recently seen practising with a putter by Californian manufacturer Scotty Cameron, while the US billionaire founder of web hosting firm GoDaddy, Bob Parsons, remained coy on whether he would make an offer to McIlroy over his firm, Parsons Xtreme Golf, which he founded in 2014.
“For now I just don’t know what we’ll do about potentially signing any new players like Rory or Tiger that might be available, but I can say that within an hour of the announcement we had no less than 30 calls from people who have relationships with Nike Golf,” Parsons said.
No-one from McIlroy’s management firm, Rory McIlroy Inc, was available for comment yesterday.
The firm was founded after McIlroy split with previous reps Horizon Sports Management - the company that negotiated the Co Down star’s mega deal with Nike.
