A player bigger than the game; this is how media pundits describe Tiger Woods. But in the midst of his “indefinite break” from the golf course, the absence of the tiger effect might affect the game itself.
Woods has been the sports no. 1-ranked golfer for the past 235 weeks. With 14 major titles and 607.85 points in the standing, Woods still has a big lead over second-ranked Phil Mickelson to retain the no. 1 slot in the official World Golf Ranking.
Indeed Woods held a bigger gap over his competition in terms of winning streaks, but that’s not the only advantage he has. He’s endorsements earned him $100.2 million in career prize money while bagging another $10.5 million in earnings last year which made him the leader of all US Professional Golfers Association Tour player.
But when the scandals came out which pointed Wood’s infidelity and womanizing, several companies have distanced themselves from Woods. Accenture Plc., the Dublin, Ireland-based consulting company that built its marketing around Woods, ended a six-year agreement with him. Procter & Gamble Co., said it will phase Woods out of its Gillette print and TV ads.
Pepsi dropped Tiger's Gatorade drink. Even though the company insists those plans were long in the works, the move doesn't reflect well on Tiger's post-transgression brand. Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has ordered its stores in Australia to remove advertising posters featuring Woods.
Woods isn’t the only one who is going to take a financial problem for his indiscretion. The game itself is also affected. The no. 3-ranked Steve Stricker said in an interview that they (golfers) need Woods for “sponsorships and just the awareness in the tour in general.” He also said that the game will still be poorer without Woods.
This might also affect the game’s television ratings. Although hard-core fans may not turn away from watching the game just because Woods isn’t playing, the casual fans might which will equate to fewer advertising dollars.
The world’s top golf tour has seen prize money triple to $275 million since Wood’s first full season in 1997. Golf has also landed a spot in the 2016 Olympics, thanks in part to Woods support.
Woods will definitely be missed by golf fans. And just like what most sports enthusiasts said, Tiger Woods is the best thing that happened to the golf tour. His absence will surely be felt.
by: Sheila M. Pelaez
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