AT&T is latest to end Tiger Woods sponsorship
December 31, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—AAT&T Inc. said Thursday it would no longer sponsor Tiger Woods,joining Accenture in dropping support for the world’s top golfer, who’s taking abreak from the sport to focus on his marriage after his admitted infidelity.
The phone company hasn’t used Woods’ image extensively in advertising, butits logo appeared on his golf bag. That deal had been billed as a “multiyear”agreement when it was signed early in 2009, after Buick ended its endorsementone year early because of its financial woes.
Woods has also been the host of the AT&T National PGA Tour event since itstarted in 2007. Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said that since Woods is on indefiniteleave from professional golf, he will not serve as host for the 2010 event.However, his Tiger Woods Foundation will continue to be the beneficiary of theAT&T National, under a contract that runs through 2014, Votaw said.
AT&T said it would continue to sponsor the event.
Woods won the 2009 AT&T National in July at the Congressional Country Clubin Bethesda, Maryland. The AT&T National is moving to Aronimink Country Cluboutside Philadelphia the next two years as Congressional prepares to host the2011 U.S. Open.
AT&T has also been the presenting sponsor of the annual Tiger Jam concertevent in Las Vegas, but that contract has expired, according to AT&T spokesmanMichael Coe.
AT&T, which is based in Dallas, did not comment on its reasons for droppingWoods, or how much the relationship was worth.
Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, had no comment on AT&T’s decision.
Consulting firm Accenture dropped the athlete two weeks ago, saying he was“no longer the right representative” of the company’s values.
Gillette, a unit of the Procter & Gamble Co., also has said it won’t air adsfor its razors that include Woods or include him in public appearances.
Swiss watch maker Tag Heuer, a unit of luxury goods empire LVMH MoetHennessy Louis Vuitton, also said that it would “downscale” its use of golferTiger Woods’ image in its advertising campaigns for the foreseeable future.
Electronic Arts Inc., which puts out the “Tiger Woods PGA Tour” series ofgolf video games, has not said what its plans are for the franchise. The companydid not immediately return requests for comment Thursday. Nike Inc. and PepsiCoInc.’s Gatorade are other big sponsors that haven’t severed their ties.
AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson in Honolulu contributed to this report.
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