Nike Chairman Calls Tiger Woods' Extramarital Affairs "a Minor Blip"
Credit: AP Photo/David Zentz; Lorenzo Ciniglio/Polaris; Flynet
Nike chairman and co-founder Phil Knight says Tiger Woods' extramarital affairs won't hurt his career in the long run.
In an interview with Tripp Mickle of the Sports Business Journal, Knight admits that companies run a risk in building brands around athletes like Woods, 33, who admitted for the first time Dec. 11 to cheating on his wife.
"There’s always a risk." Knight says. "One of the things we always try to do when we have a big endorsement is check out the character and the pattern of the individual. But you’re not going to get it right all the time, and if you’re going to be in the business you have to recognize that."
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Woods, 33, was "obviously ... one we checked out and he came out clean, and I think he's been really great," Knight says. "When his career is over, you'll look back on these indiscretions as a minor blip, but the media is making a big deal out of it right now."
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Though Nike continues to stand by the beleaguered golfer, polls show that Woods' public approval rating continues to slip.
According to a new ABC News/Washington Post survey, 42 percent of respondents (fielded Dec. 10-13) said they have a favorable opinion of Woods, including 22 percent "strongly" favorable. Roughly 43 percent said they have an unfavorable view of him, 26 percent "strongly" so.
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Consulting company Accenture announced over the weekend it is ending its six-year relationship with the golfer, who made an estimated $110 million a year in endorsements.
"We are disappointed but respect their decision. That is all I have to say to you," Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, told the Wall Street Journal.
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Gillette said it plans to suspend advertising featuring Woods, while AT&T and Tag Heuer are reconsidering their deals with the athlete.
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236I agree with the Nike - CEO - WHO GIVES A DAMN!!!!! Tiger made a mistake. So have a lot of men. No one is perfect, but GOD, the Creator! The same people condeming him have been in this situation. There is a married woman right now mad at Tiger, because she can't catch her own husband cheating, and she probably won't leave him once she finally gets proof. And then there are the serial cheaters out there who can't committ because they are mini sex addicts...so they play with single women's emotions...but I guess they're angels! (Yeah right...whatever!) Get a life! If people paid as much attention to their personal lives than those of the stars, maybe important issues, like the recession can be dealt with.
I agree with the Nike - CEO - WHO GIVES A DAMN!!!!! Tiger made a mistake. So have a lot of men. No one is perfect, but GOD, the Creator! The same people condeming him have been in this situation. There is a married woman right now mad at Tiger, because she can't catch her own husband cheating, and she probably won't leave him once she finally gets proof. And then there are the serial cheaters out there who can't committ because they are mini sex addicts...so they play with single women's emotions...but I guess they're angels! (Yeah right...whatever!) Get a life! If people paid as much attention to their personal lives than those of the stars, maybe important issues, like the recession can be dealt with.
Oh grow up people.. he cheated on his wife, there's worse things that can be done. He'll get a divorce and life will go on. Tiger is the man and always will be the world's best golfer, focus on that - not his private life for which is none of your business. Grow up.
Let's see Nike sales take a "minor blip". NO MORE NIKE PRODUCTS FOR ME...
Tiger's Minor Blip = potential death for his wife. While she may get millions from Tiger (money come from Nike adorsement), do you think she would rather not have to take syphillis, chamyldia and AIDS tests in her Nike's?
Phil Knight is obviously a shrew CEO - he gets lots of publicity for his comment. He is a CEO because he can only think of MONEY that Tiger can bring it. he forgot about the millions of people who may think "if he endorses sex addict & adulterer as his company's spokeperson", what else will Nike do? e.g. hiring child labour and make them into prostitutes when they ask for more money? As the wife of a sex addict, i.e. just like Elin, I am disgusted at Nike and what they stand for. For the Free-thinking people, put yourself in Elin's shoes - she has to take STD tests in her NIKEs.
Nice! You lost my business forever!
"Minor blip" sounds like what a worried chairman tells his shareholders, as in "Don't worry. It's just a minor blip. Things will be back to normal in NO TIME."
nike lost out to @tigercondoms i guess it's tiger's next big thing... protect your wood!!! hahaha...
I BET PHIL KNIGHT IS CHEATING ON HIS WIFE, OR WAS CAUGHT DOING IT. I AM SO SICK OF THESE MEN THINKING IT IS OK, OR AS HE SAID A "BLIP". WELL TIGER DIDN'T KILL ANYONE, BUT HE DID KILL HIS FAMILY. HE SHOULD OF NEVER GOT MARRIED AND HAD CHILDREN IF THIS IS WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO. THOSE CHILDREN DIDN'T ASK TO HAVE A DISGUSTING SEX ADDICT AS THEIR FATHER. """THE BEST THING A MAN CAN DO FOR HIS CHILDREN IS TO TRULY LOVE THEIR MOTHER"""
I BET PHIL KNIGHT IS CHEATING ON HIS WIFE, OR WAS CAUGHT DOING IT. I AM SO SICK OF THESE MEN THINKING IT IS OK, OR AS HE SAID A "BLIP". WELL TIGER DIDN'T KILL ANYONE, BUT HE DID KILL HIS FAMILY. HE SHOULD OF NEVER GOT MARRIED AND HAD CHILDREN IF THIS IS WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO. THOSE CHILDREN DIDN'T ASK TO HAVE A DISGUSTING SEX ADDICT AS THEIR FATHER. """THE BEST THING A MAN CAN DO FOR HIS CHILDREN IS TO TRULY LOVE THEIR MOTHER"""
I BET PHIL KNIGHT IS CHEATING ON HIS WIFE, OR WAS CAUGHT DOING IT. I AM SO SICK OF THESE MEN THINKING IT IS OK, OR AS HE SAID A "BLIP". WELL TIGER DIDN'T KILL ANYONE, BUT HE DID KILL HIS FAMILY. HE SHOULD OF NEVER GOT MARRIED AND HAD CHILDREN IF THIS IS WHAT HE WAS GOING TO DO. THOSE CHILDREN DIDN'T ASK TO HAVE A DISGUSTING SEX ADDICT AS THEIR FATHER. """THE BEST THING A MAN CAN DO FOR HIS CHILDREN IS TO TRULY LOVE THEIR MOTHER"""
Minor blip my foot! If that's what he thinks then HE has problems too!
Character, or the lack of it, is everything in one's personal life as well as business. Normally I would say that this is between Tiger Woods and his wife, but now that it's public it was foolish for the Nike CEO to make such a statement. It shows his complete lack of ethics, professionalism, and I am glad that I have never purchased any Nike products. I never will, especially now, not because of Tiger Woods but because of what the Nike CEO just said!
NIKE CAN KISS MY A'SS WITH THAT ATTITUDE. I WILL MAKE SURE NIKE PRODUCTS ARE NOT PURCHASED BY ME OR ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. ''SO F-CK U NIKE''
NIKE CAN KISS MY A'SS WITH THAT ATTITUDE. I WILL MAKE SURE NIKE PRODUCTS ARE NOT PURCHASED BY ME OR ANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. ''SO F-CK U NIKE''
I will never, ever buy another Nike product.
Good and desent people who have never done anything wrong in your lives it's sooo nice to meet you! Now learn how to sew, farm your own fruits & veggies and raise your own cows, chickens, pigs and catch your own seafood, cut down trees, forge steel and build your own homes & cars, take your kids out of school and home school them. why?? because someone who produced these items has cheated on their spouse, taxes, stole and caused someone death. So if you decide not tobuy items he endorses because of his stupity you're a bigger azz then he is.. Get real and get a life!!
"Minor blip" my a**!!! Phil Knight I have just 2 sentences to describe you: You are out of your f***ing mind and you are a certifiably insane bulls*** artist!!! I cannot believe you would caal a man cheating on his wife and the mother of his children just a "minor blip"!Just a question Phil Knight:Are YOU cheating on your wife as well??
As far as i'm concerned I will never buy another nike product. My favorite golf balls were Nike brand. now I'll throw them away. Or maybe I'll mail them to Phil Knight and tell him to put them where the sun doesn't shine!!! He is a moron!!