Tiger Woods Closes 2009 By Losing Major Sponsor

by Steve Krakauer | 11:30 am, December 31st, 2009

» 1 comment

It was Thanksgiving when the Tiger Woods story took off, and on New Years Eve comes the newest twist – AT&T has ended their sponsorship with the golfer.

The company released a brief statement today: “We are ending our sponsorship agreement with Tiger Woods and wish him well in the future.”

Woods did not appear in commercials for AT&T, but their logo had appeared on his golf bag. Other companies like Tag Heuer and Gillette have limited their sponsorships of the Woods in the wake of his affair and other revelations, while Accenture has ended its endorsement deal as well.

CNBC correspondent Darren Rovell tweets, “AT&T will continue to sponsor Tiger’s summer tournament, the AT&T National, in 2010.”

But there’s a good reason for that. The New York Times has a comment from Ty Votaw, spokesperson for the PGA, who says Woods will not be hosting the event next year. “Given his indefinite leave from professional golf, and because it is unclear what his schedule will be for the foreseeable future, Tiger Woods will not serve as the host for the 2010 AT&T National,” he said.

The longer it takes Woods in 2010 to come out and speak about the story, and return to golf, the more companies will be forced out of necessity to end their relationship with the billionaire athlete.

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Tater Salad

The only sponser left of any big dollar value is Nike. They don’t want to let Tiger go and the reason is that their “standards” of morals is very low. Kobe Bryant is a great example and where their shoes are made and the wages paid. Case closed. you be the judge. I don’t buy Nike and haven’t for a long time!