Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods are linked through Nike. That is the main fact. Woods was a Nike athlete for more than 27 years. Ackman’s firm, Pershing Square, also bought Nike stock.
The sources we reviewed do not show a direct partnership between Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods. They do not show a personal investment from one in the other, or a confirmed friendship. Here is what the records do show, in order.
What connects Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods?
The link is Nike, and it is indirect. Each man had a different kind of tie to the same company.
- Tiger Woods signed on as a Nike athlete. He turned professional and began his Nike relationship in 1996, according to the Associated Press (AP).
- Bill Ackman’s firm bought Nike stock. Reuters reported the firm’s holdings.
Those are two separate things. One is a sponsorship deal. The other is a stock purchase. They do not make the two men partners.
Here is who each person is, based on official sources:
- Bill Ackman: Pershing Square says he has been its founder and CEO since the firm began in 2003.
- Tiger Woods: His official biography calls him a professional golfer and entrepreneur. It lists 82 PGA TOUR wins and 15 major championships.
Bill Ackman and Nike: what the investment records show
Ackman’s Nike story has several steps. Several articles stop at step two, which can leave a wrong picture.
Step 1: An early position in 2017 to 2018. Reuters reported that Pershing Square held Nike stock in this period and later exited it.
Step 2: A new Nike stake disclosed in August 2024. Pershing Square held about 3.04 million shares as of June 30, 2024. By December 31, the position had grown to 18.8 million shares. In early 2025, the firm converted its common stock position into call options.
Step 3: A switch to options in early 2025. Pershing Square’s investor presentation says it turned its Nike shares into deep in-the-money call options. A call option gives the holder the right to buy a stock at a set price.
The same presentation says these over-the-counter options do not show up in 13F filings. A 13F is a report that shows some of a firm’s stock holdings. It reports certain holdings at a specific date. It may not show a firm’s full economic exposure when the firm uses over-the-counter options.
Step 4: The exit in November 2025. Institutional Investor reported that Pershing Square sold its remaining Nike options that month. It reported a total loss of more than 600 million US dollars on the investment. Pershing Square Holdings’ 2025 annual report also says the Nike sale was completed during 2025.
The key point is simple. The sources reviewed document Ackman’s investment in Nike, not a direct investment in Tiger Woods.
Tiger Woods and Nike: the 27-year partnership
Woods and Nike began working together in 1996. AP reported that the two ended their partnership on January 8, 2024, after more than 27 years.
The sources we reviewed do not say why the partnership ended. Some online comments guess about who ended it. Those are guesses, not facts.
After Nike, Woods moved on to a new brand. In February 2024, Woods and TaylorMade announced Sun Day Red. It is an apparel and footwear brand. TaylorMade’s own announcement is the source for this.
Woods also has a role in golf business. The PGA TOUR named Woods vice chairman in March 2024. Its 2026 Media Guide lists him on the PGA TOUR Enterprises Board, but does not confirm his current vice-chair title.
Did Bill Ackman invest in Tiger Woods or Sun Day Red?
The sources we reviewed do not show that. Here is the difference:
- Pershing Square bought shares in Nike. That is a company with several athletes and products.
- Buying Nike stock does not give a person a stake in Woods’ own business.
- TaylorMade’s announcement about Sun Day Red names Woods and TaylorMade. No source we reviewed ties Ackman to that brand.
So the facts support one claim only. Both men had different ties to Nike, and their timelines overlapped. Woods was a Nike athlete while Pershing Square held Nike stock in 2017 and 2018. The facts do not support the claim that Ackman backed Woods.
Are Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods friends or business partners?
No source we reviewed confirms a friendship or a business partnership. The official biographies show two separate careers. One is in investing and one is in golf.
That is not the same as proof that they have never met. It means we found no public record of a direct tie. If a credible report or announcement appears later, this answer could change.
Here is a simple fact check:
| Claim | What the sources show |
|---|---|
| Both men are linked through Nike | Supported by AP and Reuters |
| Ackman’s firm bought Nike stock | Supported by Reuters and Pershing Square |
| Woods worked with Nike for more than 27 years | Supported by AP |
| Ackman invested directly in Woods | Not shown in the sources we reviewed |
| Ackman invested in Sun Day Red | Not shown in the sources we reviewed |
| The two are friends or partners | Not shown in the sources we reviewed |
The Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods Nike timeline
This table puts both Nike stories on one line. Each row shows who was involved and where the fact comes from.
| Date | What happened | Who | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Woods turned professional and began his Nike relationship | Woods | AP |
| 2017 to 2018 | Pershing Square held and then exited an earlier Nike stock position | Ackman’s firm | Reuters |
| January 8, 2024 | Woods and Nike ended their partnership | Woods | AP |
| February 2024 | Woods and TaylorMade announced Sun Day Red | Woods | TaylorMade |
| August 2024 | Pershing Square disclosed a new Nike stake of about 3.04 million shares, held as of June 30, 2024 | Ackman’s firm | Reuters |
| December 31, 2024 | Pershing Square’s Nike position had grown to 18.8 million shares | Ackman’s firm | Reuters |
| Early 2025 | Pershing Square turned its Nike shares into call options | Ackman’s firm | Pershing Square presentation |
| November 2025 | Pershing Square sold its remaining Nike options | Ackman’s firm | Institutional Investor |
Notice how the dates sit near each other. Woods left Nike in January 2024. Ackman’s firm disclosed a new Nike stake in August 2024. The timing can look meaningful. Timing alone does not prove a reason.
Current checks
Some facts in this story can change. This box keeps them in one place so they are easy to update.
| Item | Latest status in the sources we reviewed | Source | What to recheck |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ackman’s Nike position | Pershing Square reported selling its remaining Nike options in November 2025. Its SEC holdings table for June 30, 2026, lists no Nike common shares. | Institutional Investor; SEC holdings table | Later filings for any new position |
| Company-level confirmation | Pershing Square Holdings says the Nike sale was completed in 2025 | 2025 annual report | The next annual report |
| Reported loss on Nike | More than 600 million US dollars | Institutional Investor | The latest company disclosure |
| Direct tie between the two men | None shown | Sources listed above | New announcements or credible reports |
| Woods’ PGA TOUR Enterprises role | Named vice chairman in March 2024. The 2026 Media Guide lists him on the board but does not confirm his current vice-chair title. | PGA TOUR; PGA TOUR 2026 Media Guide | The current official board page |
| Sun Day Red | Announced February 2024 with TaylorMade | TaylorMade | Brand or partner changes |
Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods FAQ
What connects Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods?
Nike connects them. Woods was a Nike athlete for more than 27 years. Ackman’s firm, Pershing Square, bought Nike stock. These are two different kinds of ties to the same company.
Are Bill Ackman and Tiger Woods friends or business partners?
The sources we reviewed do not confirm either one. Their official biographies show separate careers. Only a credible report or announcement could show something different.
Did Bill Ackman invest directly in Tiger Woods?
The sources we reviewed do not show this. Pershing Square invested in Nike, which is a company. That is not the same as investing in Woods or in his businesses.
Did Ackman buy Nike because Tiger Woods left?
The sources do not say that. Woods left Nike in January 2024. Pershing Square disclosed a new Nike stake in August 2024. The dates are close, but no source we reviewed gives that as the reason.
Does Bill Ackman still own Nike stock?
Not according to the latest reporting we reviewed. Pershing Square turned its shares into call options in early 2025. Institutional Investor reported that the firm sold its remaining options in November 2025. Pershing Square Holdings’ 2025 annual report also says the Nike sale was completed during 2025. Its SEC holdings table for June 30, 2026, lists no Nike common shares. Check later filings for any new position.
Who ended the Nike partnership with Tiger Woods?
The sources we reviewed do not say. AP confirms the end date of January 8, 2024. Online comments guess about who made the call, but those are not facts.
What is Sun Day Red, and is Ackman involved?
Sun Day Red is the apparel and footwear brand that Woods and TaylorMade announced in February 2024. No source we reviewed connects Ackman to it.
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