Nike to exit golf equipment business

The company, which built its golf business on the success of golfer Tiger Woods, said it would instead accelerate innovation in its golf footwear and apparel business and on partnering with more golfers.

Nike to exit golf equipment business

(Reuters)





Nike did not give a timeline for the planned exit.

The company is the second major sporting goods maker reviewing its golf business.

Adidas said in May it would sell the bulk of its loss-making golf business, hurt by waning interest in the sport, especially in the United States.

The number of people playing golf in the United States has fallen sharply after peaking in 2000, when Tiger Woods was in his prime.

For Nike, the problem is particularly acute.

A Nike-sponsored golfer hasn't won a major golf tournament in the prior eight championships, according to ESPN.

Nike is also facing stiff competition from smaller domestic rival Under Armour Inc, which has successfully lured top sports personalities to endorse its brands.

Jordan Spieth, last year's no.1 ranked golfer, endorses Under Armour.

Sales in the golf business fell 8 percent to $706 million (£530 million) in Nike's latest financial year ended May 31. It is one of the company's smallest businesses, contributing about 3 percent to its total revenue.





(Reporting by Siddharth Cavale in Bengaluru; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila)


Share
1 min read

Published

Source: Reuters


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world