Golf: McIlroy brushes aside Nike deal rumour

Irish newspapers claimed the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland was about to sign a Nike contract.

SHANGHAI: World number one Rory McIlroy attempted to brush aside growing speculation that he is about to sign a multi-million deal to join Tiger Woods in the Nike stable.

McIlroy, in Shanghai for the $7 million BMW Masters which begins tomorrow, was responding to stories in Irish newspapers which claimed the 23-year-old from Northern Ireland was about to sign a Nike contract which could see him earn up to a staggering $250 million over 10 years.

“These rumours have been going around for years and it seems to always come up at this time of the year,” said McIlroy. “I leave it up to Conor (Ridge, McIlroy’s manager) to sort out as it leaves me to concentrate on my golf.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2012.