Amid a laser light show and video extravaganza Nike made its official announcement today in Abu Dhabi that Rory McIlroy has signed an exclusive equipment and apparel deal with their golf division.
Rory will be dressed head to toe, in Nike gear. He will play a full bag of new Nike clubs, including a Nike Method putter and most importantly a Nike golf ball.
Why did Rory choose Nike Golf? The obvious answer is money. This is the largest endorsement deal in golf since Nike signed Tiger Woods.
It also goes a little deeper than that. For a golfer of McIlroy’s ilk it is all about winning and he has been winning quite nicely with Titleist equipment and balls.
Rory has grown up watching the best athletes in the world ply their skills wearing and using Nike gear. He has always associated Nike with the best and he is excited about the opportunity to join that stable of top athletes.
Rory confided that he has had the opportunity to work with Nike’s R&D facility in For Worth. He confirmed that he will have the new Nike cavity back driver in his bag this week.
He told the assembled media that his ball speed has increased ten mph and he is carrying the ball 300 plus yards. Both are improvement from last year.
He confirmed that he is able to work the ball with the irons and is comfortable hitting any shot.
Other than the new ball he will also use a Nike Method putter. Perhaps the putter other than the ball is the most important club in the bag.
Rory answered media concerns about the putter change, “I am blown away with the Nike Method groove technology and how well the ball rolls off the clubface. I am confident and excited to put it in play this weekend.”
He was also asked what he expected in 2013 after his successful 2012 season.
“More of the same, the Nike equipment can help me reach a new level,” he replied. “I will continue to practice hard and with the best company behind me hopefully I can continue to be No. 1 and improve.”
Congratulatory video clips were shown from Nike athletes, Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. Woods welcomed McIlroy to the Nike family. He also added that he (Woods) was excited to have Mcilroy become a part of Nike and wished McIlroy all the best.
Nike founder, Phil knight, even weighed in and said that he was excited to add McIlroy to Nike and that, “the best team in sports just got batter”.
A new television advertisement that will be begin running on Wednesday was viewed. It features Tiger and Rory showing off on the driving range while throwing verbal jabs at each other.
Rory can help revive Tiger’s Brand at Nike as much as build his own brand over time. With Rory at No. 1 in the world and Tiger at No. 3 it gives the Nike brand a huge ratings boost.
Both McIroy and Nike President of Golf, Cindy Davis, refused to comment on specifics of the contract.
Rory said that he will play five events prior to the Masters which should give him ample time to adjust to the new equipment and be ready for Augusta National in April.
Rory was also asked if he would consider 2013 a bad year if he failed to win a major title. He answered that since he had won the 2011 U.S. Open and the 2012 PGA Championship, he would be disappointed if he didn’t win at least one major every year.
At the beginning of the media conference “I Am Just Getting Started” was flashed across the stage.
23-years-old with two major trophies at home and now one of the largest sponsorship deals ever is a pretty good start.
Like the slogan says: “Just Do It”.