Wednesday, May 17, 2000
Woods tries Nike golf ball
in Germany
By DOUG FERGUSON
AP Golf Writer
Tiger Woods used the Nike golf ball during
his pro-am round Wednesday in Germany, a move that could signal
the end of his tenuous relationship with Titleist and make Nike
Golf a legitimate force in the equipment industry.
Golf World Business and Golfweek magazines
reported on their Web sites that Woods used a version of the Nike
Tour Accuracy at the Deutsche Bank Open, where he is the defending
champion.
It was not clear whether that violated his
contract with Titleist. The contract, which pays him $2 million
a year to use Titleist clubs and balls, was renegotiated last
year after a dispute over the popular Nike commercial that showed
Woods bouncing a ball off his wedge.
An industry source, speaking on condition
of anonymity, said Woods has a clause in his contract with Titleist
that would allow him to terminate it on short notice.
Titleist declined immediate comment, spokesman
Joe Gomes said.
Nike and Woods have been renegotiating his
five-year, $40 million deal for more than a year and are close
to a new contract, expected to at least double that amount. Those
talks could be prolonged if Woods — who wears only Nike clothes,
shoes and hats — decides to play its ball.
Nike made a strong push into the competitive
ball market this year, signing up players such as Paul Azinger,
Notah Begay and British Open champion Paul Lawrie.
“Let's say he does switch. That would
be huge for us,” said Bob Wood, president of Nike Golf. “Golf
is a business where it's tough on the equipment side to break
through. For him to play our product says a lot about it.”
Nike said Woods has been testing the ball
since the beginning of the year, although Wednesday was the first
time he has used it publicly in a competitive situation.
“We know this is part of a testing
process,” Wood said. “We could have more work to do,
and that's fine. He's going to tell us what he wants to do, and
we'll listen and be responsive to his needs. The thing about Tiger
is he's completely about winning. He'll only change if he feels
it will help him play better.”
Titleist and Nike wrangled over Woods last
year because of the commercials.
One spot showed Woods bouncing a ball behind
his back and between his legs. Another showed Woods and a dozen
other players hitting 300-yard drives in sync. Titleist complained
that both ads misled viewers into believing Woods endorsed the
Nike golf ball.
It was resolved when Titleist reworked its
contract with Woods. While the money was cut in half to $2 million
a year, Titleist was no longer allowed to use Woods' image in
any promotions.
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