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Tiger and Elin Woods - Source: Photosport -
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While it seems like the world is closing in on Tiger Woods, there are some good reasons to expect that the superstar golfer will not endure any major long term damage to his reputation, corporate appeal or public image in the fallout from the car crash affair.
Some calm reflection indicates that within a few months Tiger's name will not be unduly tainted and his professional life will continue as normal.
1. Sportsman or celebrity?
Woods has always been much more famous for his sporting deeds than anything off the golf course. He has become a celebrity solely due to his amazing prowess in his chosen sport, unlike, say, footballer David Beckham, tennis star Anna Kournikova or basketballer Dennis Rodman, whose athletic deeds were often overshadowed by activities outside the playing arena.
2. The Kobe Bryant lesson
LA Lakers basketball star Kobe Bryant was accused of rape in 2003. He went on American television and admitted to having sex with an hotel employee, though he denied the assault allegations. Bryant has since rebounded to be a corporate and media darling in the United States, remains one of the most popular sportsman on the planet and was one of the key drawcards at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
3. Elin is not Posh
We are currently fascinated by the story because not too much is known about Woods. He has never sought the public eye, did not sell the story of his wedding to media and refuses to talk about his family in public. In this way there is less likelihood of an outpouring of public sympathy for Elin as we don't "know" her.
It would be a different story if Roger and Mirka Federer were involved and the David Beckham-Rebecca Loos affair gained much more traction, because people were genuinely upset for poor old Victoria Beckham.
4.The human factor
In many people's eyes the revelations of the past week will serve to humanise the seemingly robotic Woods and will, in a strange way, help people to relate to the 33-year-old. He is the model sportsman, seemingly impervious to pressure and has exhibited an equally perfect persona off the course. Now of course we realise that Woods is, in fact, human.
5. Corporate collusion
Even if they are proven to be true, it is doubtful that the allegations of an extra marital affair will harm the corporate image of Tiger Woods in the United States. Golf is a billion dollar business in the United States and when Woods endured a nine month injury enforced absence in 2008 the entire sport suffered.
The television networks realise that those in their target market - middle aged men - will hardly feel outraged by such news and that straying, either from the fairway or the marital bed, is regarded by those punters as just part of life.
What do you think of the Tiger Woods scandal? Feel free to comment below.
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