Malbon Golf Has Its Eyes on More Nike Athletes, and The Swoosh Should Worry

Malbon has already acquired Jason Day, former World #1 and Major Champion, from Nike Golf this past offseason. The company is now gaining recognition as a disruptor as it has its sights set on more Nike athletes.

From what co-founder Stephen Malbon said, the Swoosh might have a problem on its hands.

After Day was spotted in Kapalua last weekend for the first time donning Malbon’s unorthodox golf apparel, it seemed to be the first move that the up-and-comers were on their way into the world’s professional tours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jason Day (@jasondayofficial)

Nike, on the other hand, has been giving all the indications of a potential “defection” from golf. At least at some capacity. Not only has it lost Day, but it also had its 27-year partnership with Tiger Woods effectively vanish before our eyes after months of rumors that the brand and the 15-time Major Champion would part ways.

The issue is that the new game of golf is now less based on legacy and more on unique and fresh concepts, especially in terms of style. As it started, the amateur game was the first place we started to see some unique looks. Nike, ironically, had started it with NOCTA, a premium and small-batch fashion brand that Brooks Koepka had his hand in marketing.

Nike might be at the risk of losing more of its professional team. Stephen Malbon said that several athletes under the Swoosh are interested in joining, during an interview with Sports Business Journal.

“Several other people from Nike…have reached out,” Malbon said.

Jason Day’s partnership with @MalbonGolf started through the founder’s friendship with Nike players Tony Finau and Cameron Champ.

Stephen Malbon says “several other people” from Nike have reached out about potential deals: https://t.co/MgjAhgeNLp

— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) January 11, 2024

Admittedly, the players with a more free-flowing style, like Tony Finau, come to mind. He has a friendship with Malbon, as does Cameron Champ.

We are watching a revolution happen before our very eyes for the second time in as many seasons. With LIV Golf changing the game by pulling some of the biggest names away from the PGA Tour, now we are seeing brands like Nike and Adidas lose their biggest names, only for them to join the smaller, disruptive entities with more of a focus on fashion.

Cover Image via Golfweek