The 2024 season is turning out to be the year golfers break their long-term partnerships. The prime example would be the split between Tiger Woods and Nike.
Following him, Phil Mickelson also parted ways with Callaway. Now it looks like the LPGA Tour player Lexi Thompson is also joining the list.
The 28-year-old recently parted ways with Tiger Woods’s Nike alternative, Bridgestone.
In a statement issued by the golf equipment manufacturer CEO, he said, “After a long and prosperous relationship, Bridgestone Golf and Lexi have parted ways.
We thank her for her years of support and partnership and wish her great success in golf and life.”
Lexi Thompson has been with Bridgestone since 2018 and has been playing with Bridgestone balls since 2016.
Coincidently, Tiger Woods also signed with Bridgestone in 2016, a few months after Nike exited the golf equipment industry.
Now it is confirmed that both golfers have separated from their major sponsors in 2024.
Other golfers who parted their ways with long-term sponsors like Tiger Woods
With Lexi Thompson’s exit, Bridgestone’s 2024 PGA Tour Staff now includes Fred Couples, Matt Kuchar, Chris Gotterup, and Jason Day. Surprisingly, Bridgestone’s Jason Day was the one who started the trend of high-profile exits. He left Nike and his $100M deal behind to join Malbon Golf as his sponsor.
Following him, Tiger Woods and Nike ended their partnership after almost 30 years of being together. According to reports, the 48-year-old was earning around $500 million from his Nike deal! Fresh rumors point out Woods is planning to relaunch his Sunday Red brand under the umbrella of TaylorMade.
After Tiger Woods, his long-time rival Phil Mickelson abruptly dropped his major sponsor Callaway. In 2017, Lefty signed a lifetime endorsement deal with the golfing giant. However, it looks like the company decided to part ways with Mickelson in February 2022.
Mickelson’s image was removed from Callaway’s roster on their website after he made some controversial comments about LIV Golf. Now the two of them have officially split. Furthermore, Rickie Fowler decided to cut ties with Farmers Insurance too. He is also missing from playing in the Farmers Insurance Open as well.
With the list of players leaving their sponsors growing day by day, is it a sign that more additions to this list are yet to come? Which player do you think will leave their long-term sponsor next? Do let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: USA Today
