Tiger Woods has signed an exclusive deal with 2K Sports to allow the usage of his name and likeness in the company’s PGA Tour video games franchise. Furthermore, 2K has also acquired privately-held HB Studios Multimedia Ltd., the developers of its PGA TOUR 2K21 and The Golf Club franchise. The financial terms of both the deals have not been disclosed yet.
This marks Woods’ return to video games after 2013, when he parted ways with Electronic Arts after his 15-year run as the face of EA Sports’ Tiger Woods PGA Tour series. With this multi-year deal, the iconic golfer will play an active role in the video game landscape as an Executive Director and consultant with PGA TOUR 2K.
After signing the deal, Woods said, “I am looking forward to making my return to the video game landscape, and with 2K and HB Studios, I’ve found the right partners to make it happen. I’m honored to take part in this opportunity and look forward to sharing my expertise and insights as we build the future of golf video games together.”
2K is a publishing label of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc., the publisher of iconic video games such as Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. As per terms of this deal, 2K will also partner with Woods’ TGR Foundation. This foundation provides award-winning STEM curricula and college-access programs that offer necessary tools to students in school.
David Ismailer, President at 2K Sports, said, “We “In golf, there is no bigger icon than Tiger Woods. Like the rest of the world, we were saddened to hear of his recent accident, and we wish him a full and smooth recovery have been eager to announce our partnership with Tiger, whose legendary career has transcended the sport. We are thrilled to have him join our PGA TOUR 2K series as an Executive Director.”
Woods has 82 PGA TOUR victories and 15 major championship wins, including the 2019 Masters Tournament, to his name. His return professional tour is in doubt after a recent life-threatening single-car rollover accident in Los Angeles broke bones in both of his legs.