Tiger Woods Is Back.
Forget his popularity with casual or serious golf fans. Tiger Woods return to competition means more than just the game. It means money, lots of money. Just ask the PGA and TV networks for starters.
Television networks, advertisers and the makers of golf balls and golf clubs have all felt the sing of Tiger’s eight-month absence from the tour. TV ratings were down as one no-name after another won on a weekly basis. No Tiger, No viewers. No viewers no advertising, no advertising no dollars. And that’s just the television side of things.
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NBC’s broadcast of the 2008 U.S. Open, the last event Tiger played before his knee surgery, brought in 8.5 million viewers as Woods battled Rocco Mediate to a first-place tie and a Monday playoff. Sunday’s audience was the largest draw for the tournament in six years, according to Nielsen Media Research.
Woods’ is big business, ranking second on Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list and bringing in $115 million in 2007, according to the magazine.
Endorsements make up a chunk of that. Although Tiger lost his Buick Sponsorship (recession related) he’s still promoting Nike, Gillette and Accenture Ltd, the sponsor of this weeks tournament. Don’t forget Gatorade Tiger. It’s Tigers first licensing venture and is worth about $100 million. Tiger Woods is the worlds greatest golfer and it’s cash cow.
From a historical perspective this is the most anticipated return in golf since Ben Hogan’s comeback from a near fatal car accident. People who don’t even like golf will be tuned into the nightly news or ESPN to see just what the all the fuss is about.
From a betting perspective, Woods who hasn’t played a competitve round of golf in eight months., is still a -450 favorite in his opening round match against Austrailian Brendan Jones. Woods is also s a 2-1 favorite to succesfully defend his match-play title.
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