Renowned golfer Tiger Woods may no longer be tied to Nike after a 27-year partnership, but his career and his strategic endorsements with brands such as Gatorade, Rolex, and Monster Energy have blessed him with an impressive fortune.
Tiger Woods, recognized globally as one of the greatest golfers in history, is among the world's select billionaire athletes. According to Forbes, as of January 2024, he is worth around $1.1 billion, placing him just behind NBA star LeBron James as the second active billionaire athlete. Here's a walkthrough of how he built his financial empire.
Over his professional golfing career spanning 27 years, Woods accumulated 106 worldwide wins and 15 majors. His 82 PGA Tour wins equate him with Sam Snead for the highest number of PGA Tour victories in history.
Despite Woods' vast earnings from his golfing career, totaling about $1.8 billion as estimated by Forbes and a record-breaking $121 million in prize money from PGA tours, it is his endorsements and entrepreneurial pursuits that account for more than 90% of his net worth.
Nike was a substantial contributor to Woods' wealth, with his endorsement deal with the sports brand estimated to have earned him $500 million over the 27-year contract. However, Nike was not the only significant partnership in Woods' portfolio. He also struck a lucrative deal with sports drink manufacturer Gatorade, which reportedly paid him around $100 million over a period of several years until the collaboration ended in 2010 amid revelations of Woods' multiple extramarital affairs. AT&T and technology consulting firm Accenture similarly severed their partnerships with Woods during this time.
Woods ventured into another partnership in 2016, this time with energy drink manufacturer Monster Energy. This arrangement has continued, with Woods often seen sporting Monster-branded golf bags and promoting the brand's other drink, Monster Hydro Super Sport since 2022.
Away from endorsement deals, Woods has demonstrated business acumen, venturing into luxury real estate, mini-golf establishments, and even the restaurant business. Among his investments is a restaurant, The Woods, located in notoriously wealthy Jupiter Island, Florida.
Embedded further in his golfing roots, Woods owns TGR Design, a golf course design firm, Full Swing, a golf simulator tool, and Popstroke, an indoor mini-golf chain with outlets located in Florida, Arizona, and Texas.
In 2022, in collaboration with pro golfer Rory McIlroy, Woods launched TMRW Sports, a tech company centered around sports, media, and entertainment. The company boasts a notable list of celebrity investors including Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled, and Macklemore.
Still in its growing phase, TMRW Sports, together with the PGA Tour, introduced an indoor golf league known as TGL. However, its debut season has been deferred to 2025 following the collapse of its Palm Beach Gardens, Florida venue's roof.
Joining forces with singer Justin Timberlake, Woods owns shares in the global real estate development company Nexus Luxury Collection. Recently in October 2023, Nexus announced the upcoming opening of a sports and entertainment gastropub in St. Andrews, Scotland, that is jointly owned by Woods and Timberlake. Named The Nexus, the luxury establishment will offer dining, lounging areas, and access to Full Swing golf simulators owned by Woods.
Woods' interest in high-end real estate does not end there. He has bought and sold numerous million-dollar homes, including his Jupiter Island residence, which is believed to carry a price tag of around $54 million.