I hear golfing superstar Tiger Woods is having some problems with ladies lately. At last count, ten women of varying degrees of virtue and morals have publicly claimed that Woods has broken his marriage vows with them. There are text messages. There are voicemails. His wife reportedly attacked Tiger with a golf club. It's going to be a rough Christmas this year at the Woods' home. But for now, Tiger can wipe his tears away with piles of money from his lucrative endorsement deals. So far, only Pepsico has dropped Tiger, and they say it has nothing to do with the scandal... yeah, right. Of course, around here we're more interested in video games -- Specifically, Tiger Woods PGA Tour series of golf games from Electronic Arts. How long will EA keep Tiger?
EA issued a statement last week saying:
"Our strong relationship with Tiger for more than a decade remains unchanged. We respect Tiger's privacy, we wish him a fast recovery and we look forward to seeing him back on the golf course."
But that was before the most recent infidelity accusations were leveled at the golfer. Although EA still stands by their statement, some think Electronic Arts will soon drop Tiger from the payroll. Here's how Michael K. Ozanian, National Editor at Forbes, put it:
"Sponsors like Gillette and Electronic Arts are going to drop Tiger Woods regardless of what they are saying now. Near term, Tiger is done as a corporate pitchman."
As early as yesterday, EA re-affirmed its commitment to Tiger, and it is true that the very lucrative golf games that bear his names cease to exist without his likeness -- after all, can you even think of the name of a current golfer that comes close to the recognizability of "Tiger Woods?" I can't.
But I think EA will drop Tiger. I think, over the next month or so, as more detailed revelations come out about Woods, all of his sponsors are going to run from him like his clubs are made of plutonium, and EA won't want to be the only company endorsing the tainted "Tiger Woods" name.
My co-worker Patrick Klepek disagrees and thinks EA will stand by their man, but Patrick is dead-stinking wrong and I'm willing to make a wager to that effect. Any suggestions for what we should bet?
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TheJundt
To me I would like to stop hereing people talking bad about Tiger Woods, making him out to be some kind of God. He is a Human being, and he can make mistakes just like all of us can. To me it's kinda funny that he get's all this bad news that the media put's on him, but they don't talk about how much good he doe's for millions of people in America and around the World. How much money he gives to charities, people with disease, like AIDS, Cancer, Down syndrome, orphanages. Tiger Woods gives so much, and I think he should give back because you have a lot more and you should help people,,, Ya let's throw rock at him and burn him to the torch for what you did, let do that, or we can lend a hand and pick him,and say It's all right everyone makes a mistake every now and then. He is a Good person and does good things to help people like you and me, So I wont turn my back on my fellow man. EA should stay with Tiger Woods because He is a Good man, and he play's Dam good Golf.
TheJundt
To me I would like to stop hereing people talking bad about Tiger Woods, making him out to be some kind of God. He is a Human being, and he can make mistakes just like all of us can. To me it's kinda funny that he get's all this bad news that the media put's on him, but they don't talk about how much good he doe's for millions of people in America and around the World. How much money he gives to charities, people with disease, like AIDS, Cancer, Down syndrome, orphanages. Tiger Woods gives so much, and I think he should give back because you have a lot more and you should help people,,, Ya let's throw rock at him and burn him to the torch for what you did, let do that, or we can lend a hand and pick him,and say It's all right everyone makes a mistake every now and then. He is a Good person and does good things to help people like you and me, So I wont turn my back on my fellow man. EA should stay with Tiger Woods because He is a Good man, and he play's Dam good Golf.
ganjasaurus_rex
Are we still on about this? Global celebrity worship is rising out of control. Just because someone chose a profession in the public eye doesn't mean their entire life in open to scrutiny. Leave the poor schmuk alone. He, clearly, has enough problems as it is.
EA will most likely keep their hands on a cash cow like Tiger. Good or Bad, it's still publicity.
tbails2020
Man your a tool for saying that about golfers. i doubt you ve ever tried playing golf and if you did you would realize that golf takes skill and is a sport of skill. Learn some skills bro.
drh1975
A better question is, "Does anyone even care?" Celebrities screw around on their wives/girlfriends/etc. all the time, so why should this phony wanker be any different? And besides, golf is not a sport. It's a pointless activity played by snobs and tools.
BryanHelp
Hypocrisy to it's very core. It's his personal life, I don't think EA will drop him.
FuzzyLumkins
I heard that in his next game after you sink a hole in one, an ugly perkins waitress smut comes and performs f ellatio on tiger.
Why is fellati-o considered a bad word on G4TV.COM?
FuzzyLumkins
I heard that in his next game after you sink a hole in one, an ugly perkins waitress smut comes and performs f ellatio on tiger.
Why is fellati-o considered a bad word on G4TV.COM?
BigAngryRobot
Tiger Woods PGA Golf and Booty Call Tour 2011... yah, baby...
BONERJAM
EA will never give up on Tiger. Why would they. He makes them to much money. Once he is back out there playing and winning everyone aside from his wife will quickly forget about all of this.
vinny87
I think they will be stupid to. Look at what happened to Kobe. He had rape allegations levied against him not to long ago. Short term it looks bad but come April, May, and June of next year then things will be very different.
Also I'm suck of all this stupid coverage of this. News flash he is a young, famous, good looking athlete. Of course he was sleeping around. Phelps is apparently bedding 3 strippers a night, Shaq had affair with Gilbert Arenas' Fiance, Jordan was as much of a scumbag as Tiger and A-Rod was a philanderer too. If I was in the same position I would probably do the same thing to. This is the same kind of 'shocked' reaction that people had toward John Edwards. He is a politician, he is good looking. In what world do you think that he was really faithful? Also Obama is probably messing around on his wife too. Lets all move into the real world for a change.
playerX74
If society didn't place athletes on pedestals and cast them as role models, we wouldn't be talking about this...as much. Athletes and actors are human beings, capable of making mistakes. Some people forget that and treat them as gods who aren't supposed to make mistakes. He got himself into this and he'll get out. A year from now, he'll still be in commercials, on the cover of a video game, and he'll still be the best golfer ever.
mosespippy
EA will keep him, and here is why; the next Tiger Woods game doesn't come out for at least 6 more months. Tiger Woods' private life won't be headline news at that point. EA doesn't need him to promote a game for a long time. If EA dropped him now, they wouldn't gain much from it, and then they've lost the opportunity for Tiger to promote them once this is no longer news. People who would listen to Tiger promote Tiger Woods 10 have bought Tiger Woods 10 already. People who would listen to him promote Tiger Woods 11 won't remember/care anymore.
All that depends on how well he performs on the golf course though, or if he is still even there. If he's playing poorly, it'll be attributed to his troubled personal life. The same goes for if he's not even on the course. If he is playing well however, then it's great for PGA ratings and his endorsements will do well.
As for a bet for Stephen and Patrick to lose, loser playing golf in a dress works. Doesn't need to be a full 18 holes or even on a real course. Mini golf or video game golf works. Just as long as you guys post a video.
Warrior567
gatorade droped tigers brand of drinks before he had the accident. you obiously don't read you bevarage digest magazine.
CALiiGeDDon
why wouldn't tiger stay with EA??
mcied
Ha the wager should be playing all the way through rogue warrior. Yep if one of you are wrong you should have to play all the way through that god forsaken piece of crap! That would be torture!
GreedyMcNasty
His personal life is none of my business. He is still is a great golfer.
JayMega
Kobe was accused of raping a woman. Look where he is now.
EA will keep him. I don't really know anyone who cares, it's just the news media telling us "PLEASE CARE ABOUT THIS."
Veagor
All this controversy and the constant stream of news is really beginning to annoy me. What right to reporters think they have to abruptly intrude people's personal lives, especially when they need to be alone and talk it out. How would the media feel is someone constantly followed them around and never shut up about something they did wrong?
On the optimistic side, it's going to be a gooood Christmas for reporets
In actual relation to your article, I think EA will stick with the Tiger Woods franchise.
kkotd
Wait, this isn't another PR stunt by EA for Dante's Inferno? Damn, and here I thought Electronic Arts was trying to push innovation.
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