Why did AT&T decide to drop one of sports biggest names, Tiger Woods?
The list of corporate sponsors who have abandoned Tiger Woods grew a little longer Thursday as AT&T announced it has ended its agreement with the golfer. The telecommunications giant issued a brief statement, saying “[we] wish him well in the future.” Woods had carried the AT&T logo on his bag and had acted as the official host of the AT&T National PGA Tour event. His image and name still appeared on the tournament’s website Thursday. “AT&T is continuing its sponsorship of the AT&T National and we are looking forward to a successful tournament at Aronimink Golf Club next year,” PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said in a statement. Woods, who is taking a leave from professional golf, will not be the host of the 2010 AT&T National, Votaw said. Woods has been the focus of a media storm since an early-morning car accident in November and subsequent reports from numerous women claiming to have had sexual liaisons with him.
NEW YORK (AP) — AT&T Inc. said Thursday it would no longer sponsor Tiger Woods (FSY), joining Accenture in dropping support for the world’s top golfer, who’s taking a break from the sport to focus on his marriage after his admitted infidelity. The phone company hasn’t used Woods’ image extensively in advertising, but its 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 endorsement one year early because of its financial woes. Woods has also been the host of the AT&T National PGA Tour event since it started in 2007. Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said that since Woods is on indefinite leave 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 the AT&T National, under a contract that runs through 2014, Votaw said. Woods won the 2009 AT&T National in July at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. The
AT&T dropped its endorsement deal with Tiger Woods on Thursday morning. So what does that mean for Tiger? Well, it means that Accenture – which dropped him on Dec. 13 – now has company. But it also means that there could be more spaces to fill than if another one of his other sponsors dropped him. Although the partnership was not as visible as most – Woods wasn’t even on AT&T’s Web site – it was quite comprehensive. As part of its sponsorship deal, AT&T not only is a main sponsor of the Tiger Woods Foundation, but also has the title sponsorship of Tiger’s summer tournament and its logo on his golf bag. Sources: Yahoo!
The list of corporate sponsors who have abandoned Tiger Woods grew a little longer Thursday as AT&T announced it has ended its agreement with the golfer. The telecommunications giant issued a brief statement, saying “[we] wish him well in the future.” Woods had carried the AT&T logo on his bag and had acted as the official host of the AT&T National PGA Tour event. His image and name still appeared on the tournament’s website Thursday. “AT&T is continuing its sponsorship of the AT&T National and we are looking forward to a successful tournament at Aronimink Golf Club next year,” PGA Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said in a statement. Woods, who is taking a leave from professional golf, will not be the host of the 2010 AT&T National, Votaw said. Woods has been the focus of a media storm since an early-morning car accident in November and subsequent reports from numerous women claiming to have had sexual liaisons with him. Sources:
NEW YORK (AP) — AT&T Inc. said Thursday it would no longer sponsor Tiger Woods (FSY), joining Accenture in dropping support for the world’s top golfer, who’s taking a break from the sport to focus on his marriage after his admitted infidelity. The phone company hasn’t used Woods’ image extensively in advertising, but its 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 endorsement one year early because of its financial woes. Woods has also been the host of the AT&T National PGA Tour event since it started in 2007. Tour spokesman Ty Votaw said that since Woods is on indefinite leave 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 the AT&T National, under a contract that runs through 2014, Votaw said. Woods won the 2009 AT&T National in July at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. The
