Headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike, Inc. is one of the world’s largest suppliers of athletic shoes and apparel and a major manufacturer of sports equipment. With a market cap of $65.9 billion and over $25 billion in revenue made last year, Nike is the most valuable brand among sports businesses. Founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, Nike markets its products under a number of brands including Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Air Jordan, Nike Dunk, Nike Skateboarding, and subsidiaries like Brand Jordan and Converse. Not only is Nike one of the most recognizable sporting brands in the world, but the men and women who endorse the company’s products are the premier athletes in their sport. Read on to see the top five largest Nike endorsement deals of all-time.
5. Derek Jeter – $10 million/year
Even though the legendary New York Yankees shortstop is currently playing in his 20th and final MLB season, Derek Jeter is in the midst of a 10-year $10 million endorsement deal with Nike. The five-time World Series champion will continue making millions well into his retirement years from endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, VISA, Gillette, and many others.
4. Rafael Nadal – $10 million/year
In 2008, professional tennis player Rafael Nadal re-signed with Nike, Inc. for a 10-year deal worth just over $10 million annually. The Spanish tennis star, 11-time Grand Slam champion and Olympic gold medalist also has million dollar endorsement deals with Spain’s largest insurer, Mapfre SA, as well as Kia Motors, and French racquet maker Babolat.
3. Tiger Woods – $20 million/year
Tiger Woods, one of the greatest professional golfers of all-time, signed his first deal with Nike just before his professional debut in 1996. The five-year $40 million deal was groundbreaking in the world of golf endorsements and cemented Nike as legitimate golf brand. Five years later, Woods inked a five-year $100 million contract and an extension lasting until the end of his career.
2. Rory McIlroy – $25 million/year
Currently ranked as the number one golfer in the world, Irish-born Rory McIlroy left Titleist at the end of 2012 to join Tiger Woods at Nike Golf, a move many saw as a poor and skeptical decision. However, initial reports of a 10-year $150 million deal made it seem extremely difficult to pass up. McIlroy is seen by many as the imminent face of Nike Golf once Woods retires.
1. Michael Jordan – $60 million/year
There’s really no name more synonymous with Nike, Inc. than that of Michael Jordan. Even though His Airness hasn’t played professionally since 2003, Jordan continues earning more than $60 million a year from both Nike royalties and his own highly successful Air Jordan brand. The five-time NBA MVP and Basketball Hall of Famer earned more than $80 million from endorsements last year.
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