Rory McIlroy inks deal with Nike

[pwaldo]

http://espn.go.com/golf/story/_/id/8...on-sources-say

Music blaring, his image part of a water fountain hologram and with the Grand Mosque as background, Rory McIlroy had his "Hello, world'' moment early Monday as he was officially introduced as a Nike spokesman.

He will be paid handsomely to go with the Swoosh, although a source said it is significantly less than the $200 million that has been widely reported for months as news of McIlroy's association with the company was not a secret for long.

Nike officials announced no terms at the swank Fairmont hotel. A source said the deal is for five years, but it does not include Nike on the golf bag. Starting with this week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, all 14 of McIlroy's clubs will bear the Nike logo.

"Nike has always been associated with the best athletes in the world and to join the likes of Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, LeBron James … it's a proud moment for me and something I've been looking forward to,'' he said.

Nike president Cindy Davis called it "one of the most important moments in the history of Nike golf,'' and undoubtedly the financial commitment would make it so.

[comfortably9numb]

that deal is unbelievable. Good for him though. He's a stand-up guy (although we all thought Tiger was too before his "transgression"). I'm happy for him. I think they got him while he's hot, so hopefully for Nike he continues to play as well as he has been last year. He's naturally got a lot of worldly appeal too.