OMG - fuck Tiger Woods. Not literally, because we all know how much he likes that. But figuratively? Yes, please. Screw that arrogant bastard. Tiger has created an avalanche of scandal for himself and summarily lost millions due to former sponsors (rightfully) jumping ship. So what does Woods do to one of the few brave companies willing to compensate him for his tarnished image? He and his brass balls turned them down cold. Did I mention there was $75 million offer on the table? Details, via Bitten & Bound: The disgraced golfer has lost millions in endorsements since
his multiple-affairs scandal captivated the world and tarnished his
once-stellar reputation. Advertising giants Gatorade, AT&T, Gillette and
Swiss watch-maker Tag Heuer have cancelled contracts with Woods, costing the
cheating golfer enough money to fill a sand trap.
But despite the huge losses, Woods, 34, has rejected a $75
million dollar sponsorship deal with bookies Paddy Power because the deal
wasn't lucrative enough.
Paddy Power's PR Manager Ken Robertson said: "We're a huge international brand, with one of the biggest betting networks in the world. We made a very generous offer to Tiger, who is a huge brand himself, but unfortunately his management company IMG have told us the offer has been rejected. I must say I was shocked that such a big offer was turned down, but we've not given up just yet. We're planning to make a bigger offer soon, in the hope of tempting Tiger to join us."
Prior to the scandal, Woods reportedly earned about $110 million a year in endorsements -- the most lucrative being a $30 million deal with Nike who remains committed to the golf icon. Reports estimate that Woods stands to lose around $150 million in personal earnings including; $110 million in advertising income, $23 million in tournament prize money and $17 million in appearance fees. The $75 million dollar deal sure sounds pretty lucrative when facing losses like that!]
Please don't tell me Tiger believes he's too classy to be associated with online betting. That shipped has sailed, along with half the stable at Vivid. This is a huge slap in the face to the public at large. When so many are suffering economic hardship, one man can turn down a $75 million fortune? Why doesn't Woods take the payout and distribute it to the jobless Americans? How about donating it to Haiti or Chile? Maybe he could do the right thing (not in his lexicon, apparently) and return the money to the networks that have taken a complete bath in the wake of his scandals. I could go on and on. There's a lot that could be done with the money he seems to deem beneath him. It's this kind of self-entitled attitude that makes me think, despite his watery apology, that Tiger will never change. In short, fuck that selfish prick.
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