Nike Says ‘Goodbye’ PGA TOUR and ‘Hello’ LIV?

Nike has been in the headlines due to an extinguished 27-year-long flame with Tiger Woods, which was the end of one of professional sports’ most noted partnerships. 

As the saying goes, “one door closes, another one opens.” Nike has evidently already partnered up with LIV Golf and its Smash GC, captained by company athlete Brooks Koepka, just days after Woods ended his reign with the Swoosh.

Nike appears to have already partnered with Koepka’s team on a collaboration that placed “Smash” on a pair of Dunks. Smash GC was quick to post the collaboration as the shoes hit the team’s feed on X, formerly known as Twitter, just days after the Tiger-Nike split:

Smashing into 2024 ❗️💥⛳️ pic.twitter.com/AxEBhPWa4t

— Smash GC (@SmashGC) January 10, 2024

While the partnership is nothing concrete nor confirmed, and could simply be a simple request from Koepka, who is now arguably the biggest name on the Nike roster apart from Rory McIlroy, the timing is interesting.

The Nike-Smash collaboration is not available for purchase through Nike currently, so it appears this exclusive shoe will remain a rarity among footwear fanatics.

Interestingly, it also surges some forms of speculation, especially when taking Nike’s future involvement, or potential lack thereof, in golf. 

Malbon has already snagged Jason Day from Nike, and co-founder Stephen Malbon has already confirmed several other athletes under the Swoosh brand could make the same move.

Cover Image via Golf Magazine