Tiger Woods: Just Do It?

Jesper Parnevik, the Swedish golfer who introduced Tiger Woods to his wife, had something to say about Tiger's affairs. Parnevik felt he needed to apologize to Elin Nordegren Woods for introducing her to Tiger saying, "It's a private thing of course. But when you are the guy he is, the world's best athlete, you should think more before you do stuff ... And maybe not Just Do It, like Nike says."

Although many believe Tiger's endorsements remain solid following the revelations of his various affairs, Parnevik's comment telling the world that Tiger should maybe "NOT just do it" may not be what Nike had in mind when they signed him. However, Nike Golf spokeswoman Beth Gast said, "Nike supports Tiger and his family. Our relationship remains unchanged."

Endorsing Titleist, Tiger uses Titleist equipment exclusively. It would be a safe bet to assume that Tiger's wife, Elin, used a Titleist club to break the back window of Tiger's Escalade. Titleist may not have envisioned the lovely Elin taking one of Tiger's Titleist clubs to smash in the vehicle Woods was driving to escape his wife's well-deserved wrath.

Tiger's Buick endorsement deal pays over $10 million to have Tiger's caddy carry a Buick bag. With a deal that sweet, you have to wonder if Buick was happy Tiger was driving a Cadillac Escalade instead of a Buick Enclave when Woods ran over the fire hydrant before crashing into a tree.

Most of the companies Tiger Woods endorses came out, like Nike, to reaffirm their commitment to Tiger. Gillette, Gatorade and Electronic Arts all made comments stating they remain committed to Tiger Woods. Spirit Airlines is even using Tiger's crash into the fire hydrant on their website promoting the "Eye of the Tiger" sale.

Tiger's Wheaties box has earned the #10 spot of all time, making the cereal manufacturer happy with the Woods endorsement for the time being. Tiger Woods also endorses NetJets, Upper Deck, American Express and Asahi.

The widespread belief is that because Tiger did not break any laws, other than the traffic violation, and because he came out fairly quickly and apologized to the world, Tiger will remain the endorsement darling he has become. The world has become jaded and unconcerned about the moral values of its celebrities, like Tiger Woods.

As the highest paid athlete in the world, Tiger Woods earned $117 million dollars last year. More than $109 million from that total was earned from endorsements. Woods is the first sports figure to earn over $1 billion dollars, a staggering sum. Next time Tiger Woods decides to go slumming around hotels and cocktail bars he needs to remember one thing. Cocktail waitresses and party planners don't make the kind of money or live the kind of lifestyle Tiger and Elin live. The biggest claim to fame of the women Tiger bedded is the fact that they had sex with the highest paid athlete in the world. To assume they are not going to exploit this fact at some point and capitalize on their sleazy affair is just plain naïve or stupid. Wise up, Mr. Woods. Your corporate sponsors are standing by you for now.

Sources:

NY Daily News

ESN Sports Website

PGA Tour Website

The Telegraph UK

TheDivot.com