Nike will continue to stand behind Tiger Woods despite his off-course failings. The company recognizes that he’s the world’s best player and has decided to not let his choice to take an indefinite leave from golf to deal with personal issues taint the money … er, the respect they have for what he brings to the game.
The president of CBS Sports and several media analysts acknowledge that television viewership will fall without Woods, but they feel the networks that air the sport and the PGA Tour can handle the setback. CBS is facing the possibility of covering the Masters Tournament just weeks from now with the sport’s biggest star and draw absent.
Nike brand president Charlie Denson said Thursday he does not want Woods back on the course until he sorts out his private life, which has been in the public spotlight since a bizarre car crash outside his Florida home last November revealed allegations of marital infidelity.
Woods issued a public apology last week and has sought inpatient treatment.
“Under the circumstances, the more he deals with the issues and the better he deals with them, the better off he’ll be when he does return,” Denson told The Associated Press.
AT&T and Accenture dropped Woods from their roster of sponsorships, and others like Procter & Gamble Co.’s Gillette and Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer de-emphasized him in their marketing.
“We’ve been supportive of Tiger since the story broke and we continue to be supportive,” Denson said. “He’s got issues he needs to deal with and he’s dealing with them. We are looking forward to him getting back on the golf course.”
Woods said last week that he spent 45 days in treatment and he planned to seek additional therapy. He did not say when he would return to the course. –gerald radford (source from AP)
