While Nike has shut down the hard goods side of its golf business, we might not have seen the last of Nike clubs, at least in some capacity.
That’s because, according to an exclusive report from the Phoenix Business Journal, Ping’s parent company, Karsten Manufacturing Corp., has reportedly purchased at least five patents from Nike related to golf club technology.
“We see this as an opportunity to add utility patents to our already significant intellectual property portfolio,” said Ping President John K. Solheim, in a statement to the Phoenix Business Journal. “Our team can use these patents, along with our existing intellectual property, to our competitive advantage, accelerating our ability to further technology that ultimately leads to higher performing, score-lowering golf equipment.”
Terms of the patent sales weren’t disclosed. In addition, a Ping spokesman said the company has purchased additional Nike patents, but those sales are not yet reflected in patent records.
While Nike Golf announced the shutdown of their hard goods side in August of 2016, the continue to make golf footwear and apparel, recently adding Jason Day to their arsenal of golfers joining Tiger Woods and Rory Mcllroy.