Read the arguments from Bleacher Fan and Sports Geek about which story they believe was the best of 2009.
The Sports Debates has done its best to avoid the saga of Tiger Woods for the past month. We are not interested in fanning any flames regarding any possible transgressions by Woods. We have had considerable discussions behind the scenes about the matter. We have all gotten the humorous emails circulating about him. But, in discussing today’s debate involving the top sports story of the year, it’s just impossible to not touch on this story, at least from a sports angle. Without a doubt, the 2009 sports story of the year is the story of Tiger Woods.
In June 2008, after Woods miraculously won the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in a Monday playoff on essentially one leg, he took eight months off to recover from reconstructive knee surgery. While out, ratings for the PGA Tour took a major hit. The 2008 British Open, which was actually entertaining to watch, had its smallest television audience in 17 years. The PGA Championship fared even worse when it became lowest rated major since Nielsen began tracking television ratings. Interest in the PGA Tour took a major dive.
Attendance dwindles at events where Tiger Woods is not playing. That was evident the last time he was out, and is sure to happen again this time around with his indefinite leave of absence. Sponsors lose interest in those tournaments, and there is considerably less media coverage. The buzz just is not present. I have been to The Players Championship in Florida numerous times over the years. It is one of my favorite sporting events to attend. The players love it, and the fans love it. When Tiger is in contention, that place is electric. You can just feel the energy in the air. Obviously, a Yankees-Red Sox game has more “buzz” than a Pirates-Brewers game. That is the way it is in golf. When Woods is not playing in a tournament, like in 2008, the tournament just is not the same. The crowd does not have that swagger, and it is just another day out on the PGA Tour. I certainly feel it when walking around at a golf tournament, and I even feel the deflation when watching a Tiger-less event on TV. Bill Carroll, Vice President and Director of Marketing of Katz TV group says it best, “Without Woods, televised tournaments are like a major motion picture without a star’s name above the title – rarely do people go to see the flick.”
That is key because the PGA Tour television contract expires in 2012. However, negotiations are expected to begin later in 2010, and I am not sure what the landscape of golf will be at that point. Will the PGA Tour have enough leverage to get yet another lucrative deal? Sponsors and television networks want Tiger at their tournaments. Without him, their interest wanes, and that can impact the next TV deal. That will limit the revenue being brought in to the sport, which can reduce the winnings at each event, too.
The PGA Tour needs Tiger back in action… soon. And, the tour needs him to be successful when he returns. It is going to be interesting to see how the public responds when he returns in 2010. My guess is he will not receive much support at first, but WHEN he starts winning again, all will be forgiven. It is an ever-forgiving society (see Kobe Bryant). We just need the chance to forgive him! Hurry back Tiger!
Yet another sponsor is dropping Woods. AT&T is backing off. Not sure how much Woods was involved with them, though they are the main sponsor of his tournament that he hosts in July.
I think if Buick turns its back… that one would really, really hurt.