So as most of the sports world now knows, Tiger Woods has decided to take an indefinite leave of absence from the game of golf. As a fan and admirer of Tiger Woods’s contribution to the sport of golf and to the sports landscape in general, I felt torn about this entire Tiger situation. He’s meant so much to the sports world throughout his entire career. He’s the most prominent and important athlete since Michael Jordan. He brought his sport to the masses and allowed for the common sports fan to relate to a sport that was once elitist and racist. He’s contributed so much, not just to sports, but to society. It’s a damn shame that his legacy is going to be tarnished by this situation. But, I can’t say that this undeserved. The dude’s personal life has just been an absolute mess and you CANNOT afford to have that happen to you when you live in the public eye 24 hours a day.
Tiger Woods fucked up…obviously. It’s been revealed that he’s cheated on his wife on numerous occasions. He went to the hospital due to an injury suffered as a result of a suspicious driving accident (ummm….drunken driving anyone???) His mother-in-law went to the same hospital less than a week later (I know there was no correlation, but that’s the craziest coincidence if there ever was one). But worst of all, he NEVER stood up and addressed these issues to the media or the public. That was the most disappointing part of this entire saga. As a professional and as an athlete who has made millions from being in the spotlight, Tiger really owed us an explanation. He owed us details. He owed us an entire story, so we don’t have to speculate and guess about something that should be based on facts.
With that out of the way, I must say that Tiger’s decision to take a break from golf has saddened me and will have repercussions in the sports landscape that can’t even be seen yet. Tiger Woods transcends sports. He is a cultural icon and celebrity…one of the most recognizable people on the planet. You can bank on the fact that his absence from sports will be felt by everyone. Coverage of the Masters and US Open won’t be close to what it was when Tiger was playing. No more Gatorade or Nike ads. No more sole coverage of Tiger at tournaments. No more talk shows or video games. No more licensed products. For the most marketing-friendly athlete since Jordan, the business of sports will have to find a new golden child. We’ll have to see who that will be, but I guarantee you that we will all miss Tiger when that Gillette ad is missing Tiger from the middle. Apologies to Jeter and Federer, but I think it was obvious that Tiger carried those commercials.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
That image will haunt me in my dreams.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
But on a more serious note I think you're going a lil Chicken Little on Tiger. The Sky is not falling. Ultimately, the public will forgive him if he's contrite in some sort of a personal apology (and not a polished statement posted on his website) and if he wins.
If Tiger comes back and starts winning tournaments and donning on new Green Jackets and winning majors again, he will be forgiven. Sure there will be the occasional heckler or blogger or even member of the established media that will bring up this entire incident, but for the most part the public will move on.
Michael Vick went to jail and PETA protesters were picketing anything Vick. There seemed no way a NFL would sign him. Well, he did.
Kobe Bryant was on trial for rape. Some sponsors dropped him quickly and made judgments. The post-scandal Kobe is still married, won an MVP, and a title without Shaq. And he's rehabbed his image (somewhat).
Will the PGA suffer in his absence? No doubt about it. But as a silver lining, maybe this will prepare the PGA in the post-Tiger era when he finally does retire. They'll learn to diversify their marketing and not put all their eggs in one basket. And the Tour did fine when Tiger missed half the year after hurting his leg.
Think of this as Tiger's career equivalent to Michael Jordan playing baseball.
BTW, did you read Simmons' article about this from Friday. I love the idea of him turning heel, growing an NWO beard and hooking up with every under 25 Hollywood starlet/singer/groupie after divorcing his wife. That would be compelling. And his new sponsors could be Trojan Condoms.
December 14th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
From Tag Heuer, one his sponsors:
Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer said Monday it will continue its association with Tiger Woods despite the golfer's alleged infidelities.
Company spokeswoman Mariam Sylla said the sponsorship is unchanged because Woods remains the world's best golfer and Tag Heuer does not care about his private life.
"We will continue," Sylla told The Associated Press. "He's the best in his domain.
"We respect his performance in the sport," she said, adding that Woods' personal life is "not our business."
December 14th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
cheating is the new black
December 16th, 2009 at 5:21 am
idk i think Tiger's by no means out of the woods yet. I'll agree with the Final Word and say that he reallllllllly fucked up with this one.
and the longer he stays out of golf, the more "time" ticks off the patience clocks of these sponsors.
December 16th, 2009 at 5:25 am
lol and where on earth did you get a picture like that