Tiger loses sponsorship deal

The giant management consultancy firm Accenture has ended its sponsorship of Tiger Woods, saying the golfer is “no longer the right representative”. Woods has been engulfed in a media storm since a disturbance outside his house two weeks ago. He has since admitted being unfaithful to his wife.

Woods is taking an indefinite break from golf to try to save his marriage.

Accenture is the second sponsor to react to the news. Gillette has already said it would cut back Woods’ role.

“For the past six years, Accenture and Tiger Woods have had a very successful sponsorship arrangement and his achievements on the golf course have been a powerful metaphor for business success in Accenture’s advertising,” the company said in a statement.

“However, given the circumstances of the last two weeks, after careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that he is no longer the right representative for its advertising.

Accenture said that “it wishes only the best for Tiger Woods and his family”. Accenture “had tied everything in their campaign to Tiger Woods,” Rick Burton, a professor of sports management at Syracuse University, told the Associated Press.

Among his other sponsors, the US phone firm AT&T has said it is “presently evaluating our ongoing relationship” with Woods, but his main sponsor Nike said it was standing firm and offered him its “full support”.

The Associated Press says he is believed to be the first sports star to have earned $1bn (£600m).

Woods, 33, is considered one of the best golfers of all time and was thought by many experts to be likely to overhaul Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 major championship victories.

He has won 14 so far, but BBC golf commentator Peter Alliss believes it is possible he will not play again.

BBC