Rory McIlroy ready to step into the spotlight as the £156m new face of Nike - Telegraph
The world No1 will be accompanied at the announcement by Cindy Davis, president of the companys golf division, after it was confirmed on Tuesday that McIlroy had severed ties with his long-time sponsors, the hotel group Jumeirah.
Since he was a teenager McIlroy has had a portfolio of sponsors, including Jumeirah, Oakley and Titleist, but has been forced to jettison them all as Nike routinely requires its star clients to be dressed from head to toe in its signature 'swoosh logo.
Oakley is suing McIlroy and Nike for alleged breach of contract, claiming that the damage caused to its brand by the 23 year-olds defection is irreparable.
McIlroy has arrived in Dubai before next weeks HSBC Championship, having been seen on holiday in Australia wearing Nike clothing.
Nike yesterday confirmed that there would be a major announcement at Abu Dhabis Fairmont Hotel on Monday, featuring Davis and an unspecified special guest.
McIlroys tie-up with Nike is the single most lucrative endorsement ever negotiated in golf, as the sporting giant take the first steps to replace Tiger Woods, whose image was tainted by sex scandal in 2009.
McIlroy was backed by Padraig Harrington on Tuesday amid continued controversy over whether he chooses to represent Great Britain or Ireland at the 2016 Olympic Games.
The Ulsterman disclosed recently that he might skip the Rio Games altogether, because of political sensitivities around his decision after he claimed he felt more British. Harrington said that McIlroy has been placed in an impossible position.
I have massive sympathy as an Irishman and more so as a sportsman, the three-time major champion said. Thats it, straightforward nobody at 23 years of age should be asked to make that decision.
The reality is that there have been people in politics for the last hundred years who have tried to negotiate that and havent been able to. So why would you ask a 23 year-old, just because hes going to hit a little white golf ball?
I hate this kid, but he's winning the chess match!
fukk that Cablinasian
shouldve played his cards right
and sells stuff let him win a few tournaments. He'll be back
Phil always gets the sympathy fans and that look he's a nice guy fans.