Rumor has it that the world's top golfer, 23-year-old Irishman Rory McIlroy, is on the verge of signing a 10-year deal with Nike, worth $250 million, according to major media sources.
McIlroy refused to comment about the deal at a press conference Tuesday for the BMW Masters in Shanghai, China, Golf.com reported. He said he, "had enough to think about just trying to get the ball in the hole."
McIlroy took over as the world's number one golf player after winning the Honda Classic by two strokes in Florida in March. He has won six titles over the past two years, including two majors, and $13 million on PGA tours, according to the website Bleacher Report. He is the defending BMW Masters champion.
If the deal does go through McIlroy would replace Tiger Woods as Nike company spokesman. Once loved by the public and the media, Woods' star plummeted when revelations of extramarital affairs began surfacing in 2009.
Nike has stood by Woods despite the exposure of his serial philandering, continuing to pay him $20 million a year, according to SB Nation.
Nike has, however, dumped Lance Armstrong who has been found guilty of doping to win his Tour de France titles. The website speculates the difference in treatment is because Armstrong cheated to win in the sport, whereas Woods just...cheated.
The deal would take effect when McIlroy's contract with the American golf equipment company Titleist expires in December, according to the Daily Mail.
McIlroy is the second most marketable athlete in the world, behind Brazilian football star Neymar, based on a SportPro Media survey, as reported by the Mail.
McIlroy's agent Conor Ridge also refused to comment about the possible deal, saying, "It is our policy not to pass comment regarding any industry speculation related to our players."
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