Nike gone?

Armchair Andy · 03-08-2016 09:52PM #1

Just seen on Instagram Nike to end production of clubs and balls! Or am I following a bogus account ( golf digest)?

Kintarō Hattori · 03-08-2016 09:54PM

Seems it's right:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-08-03/nike-to-stop-making-golf-equipment-in-latest-blow-to-the-sport

http://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/nike-announces-it-will-no-longer-make-golf-clubs-balls-and-bags/

redzerdrog · 03-08-2016 09:58PM

Should we expect massive sales in Nike gear now?

Senecio · 03-08-2016 09:59PM

It appears to be true from what I've read

Mantis Toboggan · 03-08-2016 09:59PM

Great, wee Mac can get back to his Scotty Cameron.

BigChap1759 · 03-08-2016 10:02PM

redzerdrog wrote: »

Should we expect massive sales in Nike gear now?

Already started in the US last week - all the new Nike drivers were available for $150!!!

BigChap1759 · 03-08-2016 10:04PM

I wonder what the means for Rory's contract, hasn't it got another 6/7 years to go??

Armchair Andy · 03-08-2016 10:06PM

BigChap1759 wrote:

I wonder what the means for Rory's contract, hasn't it got another 6/7 years to go??

Hopefully it's a contract termination!

Senecio · 03-08-2016 10:09PM

I'm sure they'll hold him to clothing and foot ware but release of any equipment obligations?

maximum12 · 03-08-2016 10:11PM

Not a huge surprise.

Golf really becoming (more) an old man's game. Young people just not taking it up.

Their main man Tiger is finished.

Their new kid Rory is not the best of the new kids.

I guess there'll be some settlement reached with Rory.

BoardsMember · 03-08-2016 10:20PM

maximum12 wrote: »

Not a huge surprise.

Golf really becoming (more) an old man's game. Young people just not taking it up.

Their main man Tiger is finished.

Their new kid Rory is not the best of the new kids.

I guess there'll be some settlement reached with Rory.

I'd imagine you're miles off with that.

HighLine · 03-08-2016 10:23PM

Wonder did Schwartzel get wind of this hence the sudden switch away from Nike on the eve of the Open?

I actually thought it was a joke when I first read it.... fairly big news. Rory back to Titleist?

PARlance · 03-08-2016 10:33PM

I wonder if we'll get Tiger's offical retirement in the coming weeks.

davo10 · 03-08-2016 11:01PM

Strangely coincidental, I heard Rich Beam interviewed earlier today about McIlroy having a shiny new Scotty Cameron in the locker room at the PGA last weekend. Beam remarked to him how nice a putter it was and McIlroy said it is a beauty. Beam thought it odd that he had it instead of the Nike he uses.

http://www.newstalk.com/rich-beem-pga-championship

maximum12 · 03-08-2016 11:07PM

BoardsMember wrote: »

I'd imagine you're miles off with that.

Your imagination does not make a convincing argument.

Golf is currently in decline. People don't see it as a good way to commit a half day of their leisure time. Nike need growing player numbers to justify their investment

Legwinski · 03-08-2016 11:42PM

Huge news!
Nike wanting to focus their efforts on trying to stop Under Armour's growth perhaps

Jawgap · 04-08-2016 06:24AM

maximum12 wrote: »

Not a huge surprise.

Golf really becoming (more) an old man's game. Young people just not taking it up.

Their main man Tiger is finished.

Their new kid Rory is not the best of the new kids.

I guess there'll be some settlement reached with Rory.

Adidas also exited the equipment side recently, putting TaylorMade and Adams up for sale (and Ashworth).

I'd say it's more to do with business costs - it's easier to design, market and sell apparel. It's more visible, its easier to change designs and run multiple lines and the manufacturing and shipment costs are low - I'd say the margins are huge compared to equipment.

Equipment requires r&d (including patenting), more specialised manufacturing, and is less visible; both the margin and the volume would be much less than apparel.

As for young people not taking it up, I'm not doubting their are issues but there are still young people coming into the sport.

mike12 · 04-08-2016 08:15AM

Jawgap wrote: »

Adidas also exited the equipment side recently, putting TaylorMade and Adams up for sale (and Ashworth).

I'd say it's more to do with business costs - it's easier to design, market and sell apparel. It's more visible, its easier to change designs and run multiple lines and the manufacturing and shipment costs are low - I'd say the margins are huge compared to equipment.

Equipment requires r&d (including patenting), more specialised manufacturing, and is less visible; both the margin and the volume would be much less than apparel.

As for young people not taking it up, I'm not doubting their are issues but there are still young people coming into the sport.

Agree, the money is in the apparel. They will continue to have Rory wearing the clothes.
Everyone knows Speith wears under armour but a lot of people would have no idea what clubs he uses.
To keep improving drivers and irons is just too costly and hard to convince people this one is better than the one we said was best 4 months ago.
Would love to see Rory just play what he wants and feck the cash.

Letree · 04-08-2016 08:19AM

I don't quite know why but i'm not unhappy at that news. I've never felt they belonged in golf equipment. I'd like to see Rory back at titleist too.

Jawgap · 04-08-2016 08:30AM

Letree wrote: »

I don't quite know why but i'm not unhappy at that news. I've never felt they belonged in golf equipment. I'd like to see Rory back at titleist too.

Yeah, I never really liked their clubs - too 'gimmicky' for my liking - a bit all fur coat and no knickers!!

I think Rory's problem is that Speith is the current face of Titleist, would they have the money/inclination to offer enough to bring Rory onboard?

Golfgorfield · 04-08-2016 08:44AM

Its likely Rory will have to see out the rest of his contract until end 2017, barring that id imagine it'll be a highest bidder situation, and the only ones that will pay that type of money are PXG and maybe Under Armour, the latter would allow Rory to look at an equipment deal he really wants.

Letree · 04-08-2016 08:46AM

Jawgap wrote: »

Yeah, I never really liked their clubs - too 'gimmicky' for my liking - a bit all fur coat and no knickers!!

I think Rory's problem is that Speith is the current face of Titleist, would they have the money/inclination to offer enough to bring Rory onboard?

There are a lot of big names at taylor made i'm sure titleist could squeeze him in. I don't think he would get the massive money from them though. But he may not even care about that now.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I'd say his putter will be changed already

luvthegame · 04-08-2016 08:50AM

Jawgap wrote: »

Yeah, I never really liked their clubs - too 'gimmicky' for my liking - a bit all fur coat and no knickers!!

I think Rory's problem is that Speith is the current face of Titleist, would they have the money/inclination to offer enough to bring Rory onboard?

I have a set of forged nikes and they are as good as any of the other top clubs ive hit like mp54's. Never hit their woods.

I would have thought Nike will want to keep Rory for clothing/shoes?

Letree · 04-08-2016 09:08AM

luvthegame wrote: »

I would have thought Nike will want to keep Rory for clothing/shoes?

I think you are right about the clothes. Its hard to imagine him not moving clubs though if nike aren't making them any longer.

Seve OB · 04-08-2016 09:11AM

luvthegame wrote: »

I have a set of forged nikes and they are as good as any of the other top clubs ive hit like mp54's. Never hit their woods.

I would have thought Nike will want to keep Rory for clothing/shoes?

me too

callaway92 · 04-08-2016 09:15AM

Definitely gonna try to get a set of Nike Irons now. Should get them cheap in a month or two.

Jawgap · 04-08-2016 09:16AM

Letree wrote: »

There are a lot of big names at taylor made i'm sure titleist could squeeze him in. I don't think he would get the massive money from them though. But he may not even care about that now.

It will be interesting to see what happens. I'd say his putter will be changed already

Maybe offer him a modest amount to play with their clubs with nice meaty bonuses payable for winning a Major or two.

Seve OB · 04-08-2016 09:33AM

must stock up before it's to late

The Rape of Lucretia · 04-08-2016 09:36AM

Rory is just no Tiger, and unable to carry a brand on his back by himself like Tiger was. Add in the realisation that Rory is flaky and will be an intermittant world number on at best, and so Nike decide to cut their losses.
It does show again, how huge Tiger was, and what he did for the game. Nike no longer willing to bet on his return, or gave clear insider info that he is truly done. Without him, the market is on a downturn, so Nike are reducing their exposure to the game drastically and will move on to something else more lucrative and in line with their strategy.
The Tiger\Nike years - RIP.

Jawgap · 04-08-2016 09:43AM

Seve OB wrote: »

must stock up before it's to late everything is re-badged back to Bridgestone and Mizuno

FYP (if the rumours are to be believed

)

Henry Ford III · 04-08-2016 10:52AM

Interesting news. Nike's golf club sales were in decline, so it's no surprise really.

What it means for for McIlroy is anyone's guess. Depends totally on the contract he signed.

Woods is a red herring at this stage. His golfing goose is cooked.

Nike gone?

Comments