IT’S OFFICIAL. RORY McIlroy is now Nike’s new poster boy.
The Holywood native was ‘presented’ to the world’s media at a fancy unveiling press conference in Abu Dhabi this afternoon. The deal is for a reported $200 million.
In October, McIlroy cut ties with Acushnet Co., which had supplied him with Titleist and FootJoy gear since he turned pro five years ago. And this month, Jumeirah Group announced it was not renewing its five-year sponsorship deal with the Northern Irishman.
Here’s what we learned during the lavish event earlier.
1. Nike have a facility called ‘The Oven’
And Rory visited the impressive sounding R&D facility in recent weeks. It’s in Fort Worth Texas apparently. We imagine Willy Wonka’s factory but with more plaid and you can’t wear your spikes in the clubhouse.
2. He’s got a new red driver.
It’s red. And it helps him hit it even further. But despite the reported $20million per year deal he’s going to hang onto that natty old club cover.
3. Wayne Rooney popped up to say hello
The Manchester United striker sounded like he was reading his welcome message at gun point but it was nice all the same.
4. Then Roger Federer got in on the action
A more natural salesman, the Swiss master made reference to a previous, glamourous-sounding meeting in Rio and promised to give McIlroy some tennis pointers. “From the men’s tour, side of things, if you know what I mean,” he added. We knew what he meant alright.
5. Tiger Woods showed up
6. We saw a new ad, ran to shops to buy Nike stuff
The Nike exec then debuted a new spot with Rory and his bestie, Eldrick.
YouTube: Nike
7. ‘He’s not here to get into the specifics of the contract’
The most uncomfortable he looked throughout the proceedings when asked — by Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times – if he can switch back to his old putter. He fudges the answer and when it’s followed up by the journalist, McIlroy visibly bristles.
8 Lance? Tiger? Does Rory have any behaviour clauses?
Well, Nike won’t tell us.
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He is a great golfer but 20 million , sport is gone mad. It’s not just golf but all across sport. We seen it yesterday at arsenal 62 sterling to watch a soccer match.
Sorry to break it to you but it’s 200 million..
LOL.
“Basically Woods and Tiger hitting balls…”
Should that be Woods and McIlory?
My parents are both Catholic i was born on the island of Ireland i played for all Ireland Golf my uncle was murdered by the uvf and yes I feel British. Rory :)
And what’s it got to do with you?
Gerard,the lads in the pub say your out of order.You are barred forthwith.
It just proves that all of our idiots have not been locked up.
Best of luck to him he’s earned it !
it’s not what you earn its what you choose to do with it that matters
Gonna be interesting to see how he fares out with the new clubs..
A good carpenter never blames his tools. ……………it I see your point.
Rory will never achieve the greatness that Tiger has. And this year Tiger will beat his ass all the way back to the UK!
ur right Anne Rory won’t sleep with anything that had a pulse
Alright holly sweeney or is it the old Margaret Hayes again?
So Nellie, are you saying that Rory is a necrophiliac?
So Les, a quick look at your twitter shows that you are a fan of Lance Armstrong and you are encouraging him to keep fighting those who tarnished his name. I think any credibility you may have had is now gone. Stop playing detective on every story and snooping on everybody’s accounts. Or in other words-get a life.
Great commercial! Well done. I liked it. Rory is a likeable guy. Now I must buy something Nike.
Golf. The waiting to die ‘sport.’ Not a sport, it’s a game.
You obviously don’t play it.
It’s a fairly enjoyable sport to “play” to be fair. That’s more important then the spectacle in terms of a sport being a sport.
Have to say, that was actually a really cool ad. I mean, I’m not going to head out and buy any Nike products because of it, but it was deadly!
Well well Ann Hayes, your’e such a spiteful person, you’re obviously a tiger fan but we’re not talking here about Tiger, this is Rory’s day and if you have nothing good to say about the Lad you could wait a day or two. Everyone knows Tiger was the best ever and I’ve no doubt will be good again but in the meantime lets give Rory his due. But then again Anne you obviously don’t think like that !!!
Hey John, there’s a reply button under my comment. Try it sometime or perhaps you prefer ranting away at the bottom of a page.
Ann, you are an idiot. Rory has a great image, he is down to earth, an inspiration and great role model to young people from all over the world. He deserves to be world number 1 and it should be great to see him and Tiger go head to head this year.
The bitterness of your “UK” comment is obviously referring to Rio and it’s idiots like you that make Rory’s decision ultimately an impossible one, no matter what he does he will be upsetting one side or the other. Don’t get me wrong, I play golf and I see it as an all Ireland sport and I would love to see him play for ROI in Rio.
Ann, where your comments on this subject do echo the thoughts of many, it unfortunately highlights an ignorance that I’m afraid is all too common in Irish society today.
I’m sure the sweatshop workers who make the clothes McIlroy and his cohorts wear will be thrilled at the advertising campaign.
Rory gets 200 million. The workers get slapped around for not working quickly enough for the few quid a week they earn http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2014325/Nike-workers-kicked-slapped-verbally-abused-factories-making-Converse-line-Indonesia.html
It takes advocacy groups to sue Nike to pay them the overtime they work to make Rory and Tiger and Roger’s gear. Unfortunately, Nike spend all their money on celebs, rather than the (very) poor sods who make the products. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jan/12/nike-1m-indonesian-workers-overtime
Have you ever bought anything made in China or Indonesia… Because you know if you did you would be a massive hypocrite?
taken from John Pilgers site 2010 – and his film – New Rulers of the world
”Nike workers in Thailand wrote to Woods, expressing their “utmost respect for your skill and perseverance as an athlete” but pointing out that they would need to work 72,000 years “to receive what you will earn from [your Nike] contract”.
– Repaet 72,000 years – and presume Mcclroys is approx same . There is nothing to be joyous about here – McCllroy is expoloiting cheap sweatshop labour – as does anyone who buys Nike
Rory is class.
Where there is muck there’s money… and golf is muck ;-D
Fair play to Rory, imagine if just once people were congratulated on their achievements with all the negative comments
Meant to say without the negative comments