Tiger Woods built one of the most lucrative athlete-brand partnerships in sports history with Nike, but that 27-year relationship ended in 2024 as the golf superstar entered a new chapter in his career.

The split came after Woods reportedly earned more than $500 million from Nike, according to Forbes.

Today, Woods is also dealing with a new legal issue after being arrested in Florida on a DUI charge following a March 2026 rollover crash.

Tiger Woods Partnership Changed Sports Marketing

Woods signed with Nike in 1996, shortly after turning professional at age 20. His initial five-year contract was reportedly worth $40 million, making it one of the most valuable endorsement agreements in sports at the time.

As Woods became one of golf's dominant figures, the relationship grew substantially more lucrative. Forbes estimated that Woods earned more than $500 million from Nike during the partnership.

His career also produced 15 major championship victories, and 82 PGA Tour wins, helping turn him into one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.

Tiger Woods Thanks Nike

Woods announced the end of the Nike partnership on social media in January 2024, thanking Nike co-founder Phil Knight, employees and the athletes with whom he had worked.

Nike also praised Woods for changing golf and influencing generations of athletes.

The separation marked the end of one of the longest and most recognizable relationships between a professional athlete and a major sports brand.

Woods' New DUI Case

The circumstances surrounding Woods have changed significantly since the Nike partnership ended.

On March 27, 2026, Woods was arrested in Florida after his SUV was involved in a rollover crash on Jupiter Island. Authorities said Woods displayed signs of impairment during the encounter. Police also reported finding two hydrocodone pills in his possession. Woods' breath test reportedly registered 0.00 for alcohol, and he refused a urine test.

The distinction is important: Woods has been accused of driving under the influence, but the available reporting does not establish that he was driving drunk or that alcohol caused the crash.

Woods has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor DUI charge. The case remains pending, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The case has focused heavily on whether prescription medication or another substance may have affected Woods' ability to drive.

Prosecutors Seek Medical Records

The legal case continued to develop during the summer.

A Florida judge authorized prosecutors to obtain Woods' medical records from Cleveland Clinic Martin South Hospital, where he was taken after the crash.

Prosecutors are seeking information concerning statements about alcohol or chemical-substance use as well as drug-screen results. The records are subject to restrictions limiting who can review them.

Earlier, prosecutors also obtained access to Woods' prescription records. The records could provide information about medications prescribed to Woods, including dosages, quantities and instructions concerning their use.

The legal developments have added another difficult chapter to the career of a golfer whose public life has included significant personal and physical challenges.

A Different Chapter for Tiger Woods

Woods temporarily stepped away from golf following his arrest and said he was seeking treatment. He later completed treatment in Switzerland and returned to the United States, while his legal case continued.

His career remains one of the most accomplished in professional golf. His 15 major championships place him second on the men's all-time list, while his 82 PGA Tour victories tie him with Sam Snead for the tour's career record.

The end of the Nike partnership did not diminish Woods' influence on sports marketing, but the current DUI case presents a very different challenge. With prosecutors examining medical and prescription records and Woods maintaining his not-guilty plea, the outcome of the case remains unresolved.

For a golfer whose career was defined by extraordinary comebacks, Woods now faces another uncertain chapter — this time away from the golf course.

For More Information
Woods stepping away for treatment after DUI arrest

Tiger Woods' $500 million Nike partnership ends after 27 years

Where Tiger Woods may go next after ending his $500 million Nike partnership

 Tiger Woods official PGA TOUR profile and career statistics

Tiger Woods official website

Tiger Woods arrested on DUI charge after Florida car crash — Reuters