Tiger Woods's Cold Embrace

[Xenakis]

An opinion piece from someone at the Guardian here. Seems this writer's view of Woods is that his misdeeds are not primarily of the marital variety. Interesting stuff, wonder how some of it reflects on tennis players too.

Tiger Woods' self-imposed exile from golf is the most stunning – and stunningly rapid – fall from grace in the history of sport. Not since Shoeless Joe Jackson was banned from baseball after being dubiously blamed for helping throw the 1919 World Series have we seen such a supersonic transition from heroism to heel. And not since Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 1993, following the murder of his father, has a world-class athlete voluntarily taken himself out of his sport in his prime. Woods' exile may last three months or it may last three years. But one thing is certain: unlike the 24-hour, wall-to-wall sleaze that's dominated the airwaves since the initial revelations of Woods' infidelity, this is actual news. After 14 years of being protected by the press, the Tiger has become carrion. And now, the greatest golfer in history is walking away.

The jury is out on whether Tiger's retreat makes him more sympathetic. But years from now when we look back at this saga, I hope we remember that Woods didn't choose to leave golf until his sponsors left him. Woods announced his departure on 11 December. He hadn't been on a primetime commercial since 29 November, three days after the accident, according to the Nielson Company.

The "global consulting company" Accenture dropped him from the homepage of its website. AT&T told him not to call. Gillette said that they could find others to shave for the camera. Every part of Tiger Woods Incorporated sized up his moment of desperate need and, instead of offering solidarity and support, ran for cover.

Only a couple of companies decided to stand by Woods. "Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade," the company said in a statement. "He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support." This is hardly surprising. Tiger has made Nike untold treasure – while resisting pressure to say word one about the labour practices that define the company's profit margins.....

Article continues here... http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-sponsors-golf

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Xenakis

An opinion piece from someone at the Guardian here. Seems this writer's view of Woods is that his misdeeds are not primarily of the marital variety. Interesting stuff, wonder how some of it reflects on tennis players too. Article continues here... http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...-sponsors-golf

The companies are selling an image... one TW didn't live up to. You can't blame them for not wanting to be associated with his 'new' image.

It's just business.

[jrod]

Wow... that's pretty rough but the point he is making needs to be made. Clearly there are a lot of $'s in sports that come from businesses who exploit others. Athletes all over the world choose to either ignore this or plead ignorance.

On another note, I think the single most revealing aspect about this whole scandal is the way Tiger is behaving. Distancing himself from the sport he made so popular speaks volumes about his true character in my view.

Is this what one would expect from someone just voted "Athlete of the Decade"?

Astounding....

[jefferson]

He was not voted Husband or father of the decade!! He is the athlete of the decade!!

[MAX PLY]

Originally Posted by jefferson

He was not voted Husband or father of the decade!! He is the athlete of the decade!!

Quite clearly, he was not even interested in nominations for the first category. Indeed, he is arguably the athlete of the decade--and thus much the sadness of the circumstances (had there been truth behind his image he could have been so much more).

[mary fierce]

The inference that Woods quit golf because his sponsors quit him is specious at best. Both things happened a few weeks into the crisis, but it hardly follows that one is a consequence of the other. Woods played golf long before he knew what a sponsor was, and I suspect his avidity for the game, and for Nicklaus' majors record, will bring him back to it at some point.

[malakas]

I don't think there's anything new to ponder on in this article.

[Xenakis]

Originally Posted by malakas

I don't think there's anything new to ponder on in this article.

Well, excuse me!.

[forthegame]

The press!

[dParis]

Originally Posted by Bud

The companies are selling an image... one TW didn't live up to. You can't blame them for not wanting to be associated with his 'new' image.

It's just business.

I think through all of this, Tennis Warehouse has conducted itself with grace and dignity. I would be honored to be associated with them and I am proud to be a member of their "Talk Tennis" forum.

[r2473]

Originally Posted by dParis

I think through all of this, Tennis Warehouse has conducted itself with grace and dignity. I would be honored to be associated with them and I am proud to be a member of their "Talk Tennis" forum.

BANNED!!

.....

[dParis]

Originally Posted by r2473

BANNED!!

.....

...in Britain.

[Feña14]

Originally Posted by Xenakis

Well, excuse me!.

Ever seen, Grumpy Old Women on BBC 2?

[Xenakis]

Originally Posted by Feña14

Ever seen, Grumpy Old Women on BBC 2?

Yes, not quite sure what to infer from that comment though.

[Ripper014]

Wrong guy for athlete of the decade... it should have been Federer... he did more for his sport. Shattered more records and more impressive accomplishments, his successive grand slam semi appearances. The only reason Tiger won the honor is because golf is a much more popular game right now. But tennis is coming into a renaissance and may be popular once again.

Tiger may have been the athlete of the year in the next decade... but IMHO not this one.

[jefferson]

I do not think that he can stay away from the game too long! I would be shocked if he misses the Masters!!

I would be even more shocked if he could stay away from the random sleezy white chicks!!

[cucio]

First time I read the title of this thread I thought it said "Tiger Woods's Coed Embrace." Dirty minds and their prejudices... never mind, carry on.

[malakas]

Originally Posted by Xenakis

Yes, not quite sure what to infer from that comment though.

For years now he's convinced that I'm a disabled old woman in a retirement home.Even though I have given ample proof that I'm the wife of an ATP player and the rightful chairman of Nalby's club. What to say,some people are just too dense to see the evidence.

[Xenakis]

Originally Posted by malakas

For years now he's convinced that I'm a disabled old woman in a retirement home.Even though I have given ample proof that I'm the wife of an ATP player and the rightful chairman of Nalby's club. What to say,some people are just too dense to see the evidence.

I see. Regarding the Nalby club, you would have to be a chairperson, and somehow, that just doesn't have the same ring to it.