American sports equipment maker Nike will no longer produce or sell golf clubs, bags or balls, it announced Wednesday, as sales for the gear slip.
The company plans to concentrate instead on shoes and clothing for golfers, and on its partnerships with stars like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Michelle Wie. It will offer, for example, a new line of Tiger Woods golf wear.
“We’re committed to being the undisputed leader in golf footwear and apparel,” said Trevor Edwards, president of Nike Brand, in a statement on the company website. He promised “sustainable profitable growth for Nike Golf.”
The announcement comes after Nike in June posted an 8.2 percent drop in sales of golf articles to $706 million during the fiscal year that ended in May.
That was its worst financial performance for any sporting discipline. – Agence France-Presse
