Tiger Woods Admits Cheating on His Wife; Will His Sponsors Start Dumping Him?
Posted: Friday, December 04, 2009
by Mogama
http://www.mogama.info
Tiger Woods has all but admitted his adultery with Jaimee Grubbs, a cocktail waitress, who, according to LA Legal Examiner, has a criminal record. She shoplifted clothing from a Nordstrom store in July 2004. "Grubbs pleaded guilty to misdemeanor grand theft and completed an eight-hour theft program."
Jaimee claims she side-squeezed with the tiger man 2 years 7 months, with a total of 10 sexual encounters. She was counting. It is this kind of dirt that continues to pound Tiger's once spot-free mystique.
With Tiger's voice mail as Ms. Grubbs' most telling evidence yet, Tiger saw the need to all but confess to the affair, saying in a statement, "...I regret those transgressions..."
Interesting the golfer uses "transgressions", a biblical word, which basically means moral breach or sin. Take Tiger's "transgressions" to mean sexual sin. Are we to conclude plural sex partners, since Tiger uses "transgressions" (plural) rather than "transgression"?
Don't rule it out. Remember Rachel Uchitel? She's the nightclub executive first cited as being Tiger's cheat-mate, a rumor she quickly denied. After Jaimee's spill, Rachel promised a press conference, where she was expected to sleaze. Well, Rachel abruptly canceled her scheduled press conference. Allegedly she called it off after a conversation between her team and the Tiger camp, who may have offered her $1 million worth of hush.
Regular folks know it is Elin Woods, Tiger's wife that should receive our sympathy, not Tiger the transgressor. The couple have two young children, and that's a fact that must add to Elin's pain over Tiger's sexual misconduct. Tiger may have already given Elin tear money; it is reported that he has increased the dollar size of Elin's prenuptial agreement, in addition to transferring huge amounts of dole to her checking account.
The question that sits on the shelf is, "If Tiger Woods has betrayed his wife in this way, why do his corporate sponsors remain faithful to him?"
While we await the answer, let's recap how Tiger became the wealthiest athlete ever. His unequaled golfing talent has steadily landed him lucrative endorsement contracts. General Motors paid Tiger $10.9 million per year from 1996 to 2008. Titleist dished him $20 million over five years, starting in 1996. In 2004, Buick (GM) extended Tiger's contract for $40 million over five years. EA Sports pays Tiger millions to feature his video games. In 2007, Tiger became Gillette Champions marketing ambassador, being paid between $10 to $20 million. Gatorade contracts to pay Tiger more than $100 over five years, beginning 2007. Nike added $40 million from 1996 to 2000. Then Nike extended the contract for another five years at $105 million. Nike currently pays Tiger $20 million a year. In 2009 Tiger confirmed that he has reached the billionaire-dollar mark, making him the first billionaire athlete.
If the sponsors think they will remain unstained by the Tiger scandal, they are mistaken. Women with their gigantic buying power may begin to regard Tiger's loyal sponsors as siding with the cheater (Tiger) against an innocent, loyal wife and mother (Elin). This anti-woman image cannot be good for Nike and the bunch. Besides, ordinary people may think that Tiger is getting special treatment, and that can't be good publicity for these corporate sponsors.
Let's not forget that not long ago, Kobe Bryant's sponsors dumped him for similar transgressions – cheating on his wife. For now, Tiger's sponsors think the scandal has not done enough damage to subtract from their bottom line. In all likelihood, this is only the sponsors' initial response. My guess is that if a sex tape or something more damaging than the voice mail pops up, Tiger is headed for the dumps...not that he needs another million. And it is likely that at least some sponsors will not renew their contracts, if the scandal lingers, and Tiger's ambassadorship fails to deliver big bucks for his financiers.
Insightful article, Mogama. I can't speak for every woman of course, but I would not purchase any product that I knew was Tiger's sponsor.Carolyn, you may not be alone, and the corporate powers do listen when women speak with their purses. Thanks for commenting. ~mogama~
Mogama,Great article. How does one even comment on a man who had so many 'transgressions?'I would like to see all his sponsors drop him. That would send the right message.Thanks, Nancy, for your comment. For now it seems some of his sponsors may not renew their contracts with him. Frankly, Tiger's male-run corporate sponsors may actually adore his charms and prowess that landed him in bed with so many cute chicks. And other chicks may be daydreaming about bundling up with the Tiger man. ~mogama~
