Rumor has it that Tiger Woods has started to brush up on his game a bit and some of golf's greats believe that he will be playing in the Masters. If, and when, he returns, Tiger will be a little lighter in the sponsorship arena, what with AT&T (T), Accenture (ACN), and PepsiCo's (PEP) Gatorade all having ended their sponsorship deals with Tiger.
Fear not though, Tiger is making enough money that he can actually turn down sponsors. Reportedly, an Irish bookie -- Paddy Power (awesome name) -- has made a $75 million offer to sponsor Tiger over the next five years.
I guess IMG (Tiger's agency) feels that it can either get more money out of Paddy Power, or it can find better sponsorship deals. I truly hope that this isn't IMG and Tiger suddenly getting scruples. I mean, the guy did kind of cheat on his wife -- multiple times.
Thing is, Tiger has star power and will attract sponsors once we all put his problems behind us and go on. Think that is impossible? Let's see here, Bill Clinton. He had similar problems, but has been forgiven and is seen as one of the best presidents in recent years. How about Ray Lewis? He is now the darling of several NFL-related ad campaigns, including the NFL itself. Does anyone remember that he was on trial for obstruction of justice in a manslaughter case. How about Mike Vick? I'm not saying he's a media darling, but it does seem that he has been forgiven for his dog-fighting days.
I am not suggesting that we all have to forgive Tiger Woods, but I am saying that at some point in time advertisers will. Just be prepared to see Tiger back on commercials when he returns to golfing. Bottom line: he sells product, and that pays companies' bills.
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Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
3-06-2010 @ 1:08PM
ianfirestone said...
Tiger could be the new spokesperson for Axe Body Wash.
3-06-2010 @ 1:18PM
Steven said...
Tiger is a golfer for christ sake! People gave less attention to the TV Evangelists when they got caught having their affairs! And some people hardly missed a beat in continuing to send them money. Go Figure!
3-06-2010 @ 1:25PM
Trind said...
"that doesn't mean we forgive Tiger" Forgiveness is only related to the people involved in the situation. Give me a break. So many people cheat on their significant others. Some cheat all the time...for years. Get real. If people lost income because of cheating, there would be a lot of broke ones, and if jobs were lost, the workforce would be just about nil. Beside that, Tiger and Elin may end up....all "hugged" up, again. That's how the dynamics of relationship can go. People cheat for all kinds of reasons, some reasons have little to do with the actual sex. It personal and should be worked out between those involved. It's not up to me to forgive Tiger because it's none of my "d" business.
3-06-2010 @ 1:29PM
papam11 said...
With all his dough, why does he need the aggravation of a sponsor? He certainly doesn't need the scratch.
3-06-2010 @ 1:36PM
Chrissy said...
Carol S. is right. Leave Tiger alone. He's a golfer so let him golf.
Elin is the victim here, not us.
3-06-2010 @ 1:42PM
Jeff Cutler said...
If you want an atonement, I'll suggest one: Fix your personal life, then get out of golf and don't come back. That would be an atonement. No chance of getting all those offensive accolades again if you're not there to get them. Come back, and everyone will know it's all about the money and fame.
3-06-2010 @ 1:46PM
ladolcevita2 said...
has every one forgotten the Kennedy brothers and their father?
They went through a lot more women than Tiger and Clinton put together.
3-06-2010 @ 1:54PM
T.Noble said...
By all means Tiger should consider the new sponsor, and you folks out there tell me why he shouldn't have new sponsors?
I have said this in the past and will say it again! What tiger has done in his personal life is no business of anyone else's including any new or old sponsors. The life style Tiger is involved with is his business and no one else's business.
I look for Tiger to return to his winning form upon the Golf Courses of the World and in doing so make those sponsors who withdrew their support from his company, eat crow....
Go Tiger and tear em up Son....
Respectfully ,
Poppa T
3-06-2010 @ 2:05PM
Ken said...
Tiger could probably pick up a sponsorship from Trojan rubbers. Oh that's right, he didn't use them.
3-06-2010 @ 2:14PM
gibmart7 said...
All men are cheaters and Tiger just got caugh. There are so many men that CHEAT on their wives and girlfriends. It does not matter what color you are (men). They all cheat. It kills me to see men on T.V talking about Tigers cheating. The one who are talking have and probably is still cheating on their love one. STOP talking about Tiger and tend to your own BUSINESS. You are all hating on Tiger. This is only between Tiger and ELIN. Find something else to talk about like helping our Pres. fix the economy!
3-06-2010 @ 3:12PM
Chris Dublin said...
Excuse me------------Bill Clinton was NOT one of the best presidents of all time. He may have been one of the most popular and still seems to be, but one of the best? I don't think so! Now Tiger on the other hand IS the best golfer of all time ,just not so popular right now. Bills crime was not Monica , it was lieing about it like a 6 year old .
Tigers problem was only a problem because he was married at the time. Sex addiction?? Bull---t! No man alive wouldn't do what he did with that kind of fame and money .
3-06-2010 @ 3:58PM
mamita said...
Tiger's ideal sponsor is the book "Veil of Deception...What to Do After You're Busted".
3-06-2010 @ 5:17PM
vegas814nr said...
Tiger is a dog hope he never comes back but can't wait if he does because he still has to face the fans and the reporters hope i"m at that first tournament I go to a few, I want to greet him in the middle of his back swing ask him how his harem is doing
3-06-2010 @ 6:53PM
Maximoose said...
NOPE, VICK IS NOT FORGIVEN. HE SHOULD STILL BE ROTTING IN PRISON. HE SHOULD BE BEATEN AND TORN
APART LIKE HIS POOR DOGS WERE.