How long will Tiger's sponsors stand by his side?
When Tiger Woods’ alleged extra-marital affairs came to light two weeks ago, the question wasn’t “Goodness, is it true?” – it was “Oh boy, what’s next?”
Since then, as might have been expected, a long line of supposed Tiger mistresses have churned their way across front pages, each rumoured link to the golfer more sordid than the last.
And who could blame them? When a chink was exposed in Tiger’s armour, it quickly became the perfect avenue for fame-hungry women across the country to step forward and get in on the action; hostesses, $8-an-hour waitresses, even porn stars have now claimed to have held transgressions with Woods.
But, perhaps remarkably, Tiger’s lucrative sponsorships have remained in tact despite the steamy allegations.
Of his annual US$100-million endorsement deals – with, among others, Nike, American Express and Gillette – near every company has stood by its man, denouncing the tabloid gossip as “private matters” that won’t sway their corporate relationship.
Quietly, though, one wonders two things: 1) is that really the case, and 2) with each day producing a more outrageous whack at the golfer’s image, will that stance endure?
Just today, in fact, Tiger’s brand name drink was discontinued by Gatorade. Only hours before, a crippling affair/cover-up story was published in the U.K.’s Daily Mail – a story alleging Woods was caught in a tryst with a Florida waitress and struck a deal to bury the issue by appearing on the August, 2007, cover of Men’s Fitness, a magazine under the same ownership as the tabloid that uncovered the assignation.
Are the two events coincidence? Perhaps, yeah. PepsiCo, on Gatorade’s behalf, said the move to drop Tiger’s drink has had nothing to do with recent events. Still, even the most ardent Woods defender has to admit the timing of the move is at least fishy.
When it boils down to it, Tiger has been able to avoid mass sponsorship recoil because his matters are considered private. He is not likely to suffer the fate of Kobe Bryant who, in 2003, was said to have lost as much as $50-million in endorsement deals in the wake of his rape accusation at a Colorado hotel.
Bryant’s case – because of the criminal element – was classified as a public issue, giving his sponsors just cause to dump the superstar. Woods’ endorsers, despite having the golfer’s image become at least temporarily as toxic as Kobe’s circa '03, don’t have the same luxury.
They will hold onto him for perception’s sake: a corporate bond made stronger by the trials of adversity.
But if more dirt, no matter the degree of truth, comes out on Tiger, it’s anyone’s guess as to how long that union will last.
(*Update: if you don't think the anti-Tiger movement is rapidly progressing ... see this ... and this.)
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: Sophie2009 | Dec 9, 2021 4:32:01 PM
A mistake? Puleeeeeze!! He is a serial adulterer and man whore, period! The nerve of the man slamming his wife in text messages to his mistresses! I hope she sues him for everything he has. What kind of man has affairs with legions of women and then goes home and has sex with his wife, exposing her to all kinds of STD's, some of which can kill! I think this man is a lying WORM! I hope he loses everything. He already has more than he deserves. Tiger, you are nothing but a snake in the grass.
Posted by: Joanne | Dec 9, 2021 4:33:24 PM
Lisa, your a disgrace to your gender. Made a mistake! He's a lying cheat.
Posted by: todd | Dec 9, 2021 4:37:07 PM
screw him. he used the media, and his talents, to get where he is today. he made a ton of money and should very well expect to be scrutinized for not living up to his image. Isn't that the point? Get lots of money, be famous, and do lots of girls. He's living the dream. He's a big boy. A little scandal will make his life more interesting. It must be getting boring winning all of the time.
Posted by: Mr Powerman | Dec 9, 2021 4:50:09 PM
the people that are trying to demonize tiger are extremely jelous the would have like to have some of these ladies and not spending their time writing nasty things they are so angry They can only hope that some time in their pathetic life they may leave that wash room and experence some of what tiger was gitting.
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 9, 2021 6:06:50 PM
To Joanne: I'm a woman and I really feel for Tiger. Remember this, he is a role model ONLY for learning how to play golf, I'm hoping, and even makes mistakes at golf, the odd time. ;) We all make mistakes.
Also, as someone who lost my own parent, at around the same time Tiger lost his Dad, I know that your emotions go through many upheavals that noone around you understands, including your spouse...actually, including yourself many times.
As for Tiger's wife, I hope she sticks it out with him and 20 years down the road, they can look back on their lives together and say "It was hard at times, but we have made it and have grown together." If they stick it out, they will end up closer than ever.
That is what marriage is about.
Posted by: Som | Dec 9, 2021 6:27:34 PM
It's quite apparent that the majority of the public wants the media attention on this issue to stop. Most of us feel it is a private matter and that it should be dealt with the way it would be for anyone else. People make mistakes all the times. For those of you that are eating this up and passing judgement, I hope someone calls you on your dirty secrets and makes them public.
Posted by: Douglas Kirby | Dec 9, 2021 6:33:31 PM
Let's get this out in the open shall we!
Yes, Tiger is human. Who ever said he wasn't? Everyone should take a good look in there own mirror and back yard. Absolutely, none of us are perfect. I dare anyone to come forward and say they are. For certain, after doing considerable back ground checking, you would be busted.
I am certain many of you out there and I am talking about media included and yes I am one of them(media), were just frothing and waiting for Tiger to fool up. What a headline that would be for all to sink our teeth into. Shame on us all for being such morons.
I am not about to just jump on Tiger. Did he mess up? Maybe, maybe not. Who really cares?
Many months from now, it will be another story about someone else.
I guess controversy sells bigtime, so Tigers sponsors should stay by his side.
Family wise, its personal and no one has the right to pry.
Food for thought for all you.
Posted by: Everis Henry | Dec 9, 2021 7:20:57 PM
Untill there was Woods, I never cared about, thaught about, or watched a game of golf. He made me a fan. An edge of my seat, passionate fan. When he decides to play again I will continue to be a fan of his game. I will continue to watch the tournaments that he enters. Why? Because the guy is an in your face natural born freak of nature. Can you imagine any of us going through what obvoiusly seemes to be an un happy home situation, an then having to go out and deliver major league performances, everytime? I doubt it. The guy is a winner. Tiger, this thing is not going to go away. It's not going to blow away. It hursts people to see you have to go through this stuff. We want to see you fight back. Stand up for your self man. No matter how messy it is. Just air it all out so we can all move on.
Posted by: Joe | Dec 9, 2021 7:41:41 PM
Tiger who?
Posted by: Patric Pinnell | Dec 9, 2021 9:03:13 PM
I TRULY BELIEVE TIGER IS THE BEST GOLFER IN MY LIFE TIME AND I,M 55!! I THING THAT TIGER SHOULD JUST PAY AND MOVE ON,THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HIM OR ANYONE TOO WAIT TILL THEY ARE CAUGHT TO SAY,,I,M SORRY,LOL...AS MUCH AS I LOVE HIS GOLFING,WELL,GROW UP TIGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Patric Pinnell | Dec 9, 2021 9:10:45 PM
STAND UP AND BE A MAN TIGER..PAY YOUR WIFE AND MAKE DAMN SURE YOUR KIDS ARE TAKING CARE OF BEFORE YOUR MANY MISTRESSES,WOW,PLEASE DO A FAVOUR FOR US GUYS,QUIT THE I HAVE LET MY FAMILLY DOWN SHIT,1 WOMAN,I COULD UNDERSTAND,BUT EVEN 1 IS TOO MUCH IF YOU ARE MARRIED!!! TOO MUCH IS COMING OUT OF THE CLOSET NOW TIGER,BEST QUIT!!!!
Posted by: Lisa | Dec 10, 2021 8:20:31 AM
Well Joanne...you are either young or inexperienced or both...don't know. Anyway, I've been married almost 2 decades now, and I DO know what marriage is about.
Lastly...thanks for the "gender" comment! I'm proud to say I'm not a "typical" woman. I think most women (like yourself probably) give females a bad name in general.
Oh, and by the way, women cheat too...
well...enough of this...go Tiger!!! (didn't like golf until HE came along...) Thanks Tiger. All the best.
Posted by: Bill Greene | Dec 10, 2021 11:12:20 AM
Why is there so many god damn religious people on here?
Posted by: marylisz | Dec 10, 2021 2:26:14 PM
I don't think we should be pointing fingers, unless we are 100%clean from all or any flaws/mistakes in our life journey. However, I agree with that note: Mr. Woods should take some time to reflect and ask himself why can't his wife be the one to exchange his sexual energy?
It's weird to think that sometimes not even the most precarious situation fallen upon us can pair-up with what life becomes after we do a "bad move"...
Posted by: Ray McBeth | Dec 10, 2021 4:40:57 PM
Amercians arer a strange breed of cat, you love to eat your own, tear a huge celebrity down and when he says he is sorry you all forgive and move on.
I think not one individual has the right to voice an opinion on another man's ( womans) supposed transgressions.
Bottom line quit buying the trash mags and watching celebrity tv or the Natiional enquirer of TV News, CNN, and watch how quickly all will return to respectable journalisi.
Ray
Posted by: phil | Dec 10, 2021 4:43:54 PM
may be it ia that people in north america have nothing better to do.we let our leaders pass laws ,that are of no help to the people they are to serve .we let police officer get away with sweeping things under the rock and breaking the law. tiger did not kill any one ,did not break any law has not for all we know done any thing wrong ,and if he did who cares .. i say to all the news papers and other go flush out the truth about our leaders and our cops would be better time spent
Posted by: cheekie | Dec 10, 2021 9:34:16 PM
so he got caught playing a few holes on a forbidden golf course,a lot of people are doing it
everyday they just have not been caught.leave wll enough alone and let tiger stew in the
mess he has made for himself. god tiger if you are going to fool around on your lovely wife
why not get someone gourgeous and famous.
Posted by: Elizabeth Whelan | Dec 11, 2021 2:37:15 AM
I feel Tiger Woods is a very sick boy. He has a very grounded , most beautiful wife that any man would die for. He seems to have lost his self respect when his dad died. Money is the root of all evil and he is living in the world not for eternity. God will Judge.
Posted by: J. Chambers | Dec 12, 2021 12:43:20 PM
Perhaps Tigers knee injury was a result of a three iron from another scorned woman. Yes, he is a liar and most of all a lousey husband and untrustworthy father figure. I've been married 29 years and never happier, ....Lucky you say ? No it takes work, listening, working at it and giving up some things you'd rather do, like staying home with family and even looking the other way when another woman might catch your eye. Theres no honour anymore with these overpaid athletes, anything goes and you and I are paying for Tigers pending divorce by buying Nike, Buick, Gillette etc., Didnt we bailout GM to the tune of billions,.... how much of this did Tiger get ? We are all getting screwed at the sales desk by buying this overpriced junk so that Executives can have a round of golf with Tiger and maybe now share the same hooker.