Nike chairman stands by Tiger Woods — publication (Reuters)
December 14, 2009
CHICAGO, Dec 14 (Reuters) – Nike Inc Chairman andco-founder Phil Knight said the scandal surrounding Tiger Woodsis “part of the game” in signing endorsement deals withathletes and did not back away from the athletic shoe andclothing maker’s relationship with the golfer.
Woods, 33, has admitted to “infidelity” in his marriage tohis Swedish wife Elin Nordegren as allegations of multipleextra-marital affairs have rocked his life and career.
Knight told Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal thatNike checked out Woods’ background before signing its deal withthe golfer and “he came out clean.”
Knight’s comments were published following Woods’ surpriseannouncement on Friday that he would take an “indefinite break”from pro golf.
Knight said companies cannot get such background checksright all the time and “there’s always a risk.” However, hesignaled no move to distance Woods from Nike, which has foundedits global golf business on Woods’ reputation and play.
“I think he’s been really great,” Knight said in theinterview published on Monday. “When his career is over, you’lllook back on these indiscretions as a minor blip, but the mediais making a big deal out of it right now.”
Other sponsors have distanced themselves from Woods.
On Sunday, technology outsourcing and consulting firmAccenture Plc ended its endorsement deal with Woods, aday after Procter & Gamble’s Gillette said it wouldlimit the use of Woods in its marketing. AT&T Inc hassaid it is evaluating its relationship.
Woods, the world’s first billionaire athlete, is estimatedto earn about $100 million a year in endorsement deals.
Other sponsors include PepsiCo Inc’s Gatorade,Electronic Arts Inc , TLC Vision Corp , UpperDeck, Berkshire Hathaway Inc’s NetJets and Tag Heuer. (Reporting by Ben Klayman, editing by Dave Zimmerman)
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