Rory McIlroy adds TaylorMade deal to his license portfolio

By

Sandra Halliday

Published
May 10, 2017

Golf star Rory McIlroy has signed a long-term sponsorship deal with US equipment and accessories maker TaylorMade, the company has confirmed.

The 10-year deal is worth around $100m to the Northern Ireland-based golfer and will see him using clubs, balls and bags from the brand. The new came just before an announcement that TaylorMade is being sold (along with other Adidas-owned golf brands) to KPS Capital Partners.

McIlroy, who is one of the most marketable sports stars on the planet, has a main apparel and accessories license that is held by Nike. But the US sports giant earlier exited the golf equipment segment, leaving McIlroy free to sign with another company and to boost his already-massive earnings still further. His Nike deal is worth around $200m.

He said that he chose TaylorMade based on quality rather than the value of the contract and sees it as a way to help him regain his world number one position after testing other equipment.

Other elite names signed to the brand include Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose and Jon Rahm.