Tiger Woods exercised his power as a celebrity Sunday by embarrassing the Florida Highway Patrol for the third straight day - in refusing an interview request. Woods’ agent now says his client is refusing to meet with the authorities at all.
(Nike support ensures that other sponsors, like Accenture, won’t bail on Woods)
There’s a possibility that the FHP will indeed back off and issue Woods some sort of traffic citation, even if it suspects a domestic disturbance between Woods and wife Elin Nordegren precipitated the “accident”. But while the public may soon forget that debacle thanks to Woods’ non-cooperation, the story of his alleged affair is just getting started.
The woman accused of a tryst with Woods, Rachel Uchitel, is claiming the National Enquirer report is false and has indicated she may sue the mag for defamation. Today she flew to Los Angeles to meet with high profile attorney Gloria Allred. If Uchitel formally enlists the services of Allred, you can bet she’ll soon turn up on Larry King and every other prominent electronic media outlet.
(’Tell Octomom to hold my calls, Larry King here we come!’)
Though Uchitel is meeting with Allred under the pretense of denying the Enquirer’s charges, the fact that she’ll be all over the media indefinitely will keep the alleged affair in the public eye, further damaging Woods’ credibility. That is unless Woods himself forcefully denies the story.
Besides a “vehement” denial to the Enquirer from an unnamed attorney for Woods, the golfer has been silent about the affair. Rather ironic considering his wife reportedly attacked him after learning of the Enquirer story. That domestic issue, according to TMZ.com, lead to Woods’ car accident.
You would think that if TMZ.com’s report on the cause of the wreck was true, Woods would be falling all over himself to deny the Enquirer account.
What’s the next move for Woods? Thanks to his biggest sponsor Nike, it very well could be no move.
The apparel and shoe company has already lined up behind Woods in support. That’s a huge shot of credibility for the golfer with his other sponsors. Without Nike’s support, perhaps other lower-profile sponsors might be apt to pull the plug on endorsement deals with Woods if the golfer didn’t show up to his tournament next week - and continued to refuse to publicly address the accident and the Enquirer story.
It also occurred to me that perhaps Nike is helping to advise Woods in his current situation.
Nike’s move may have given Woods cover to remain out of public sight indefinitely, and help ensure that his hundreds of millions in other endorsement agreements remain intact.
9:34 pm on November 29th, 2009
I have two words…”National Enquirer”. How much of their reporting is actually true? They will make more money selling mags and advertising because of this story than it will cost to defend a defamation suit. Woods is not saying anything about the affair because there is nothing to say..IMHO.
10:16 pm on November 29th, 2009
Damn Brooks. Sounds like you are a Tiger Hater to the first degree. Did Tiger say come back Sunday and I’ll give a statement or did the FHP just come back expecting a statement? I don’t think you know what the hell you are talking about.
10:28 pm on November 29th, 2009
There’s other sports news going on… Fuckin’ A… I used to like coming to this blog, but since Tiger’s alleged affair last week this site has been nothing but non-stop Tiger 24/7… Tiger’s a douchebag that a lot of people don’t care about, we don’t need five articles in a row
10:47 pm on November 29th, 2009
Agree. Who cares. Apparently the 30k millionaire Brooks.
11:02 pm on November 29th, 2009
Everyone deserves his or her privacy. Just because someone is successful we must not be jealous of him and try to find fault. What if you were in his shoes. The truth sometimes that does not affect 3rd party (no one else is injured) is best kept private. Cause people will stil lnot accept the truth and distort the statement and ask more questions. If you are a good person leave him alone to answer to the authorities if need be.
RS
11:41 pm on November 29th, 2009
Tiger overload for sure, but it seems that a lot of people have some level of interest.
Blogs = number of hits, normally 5000 - 6000 on most stuff here, but the hits #’s on the “Tiger overload” stuff are easily 10X those #’s. Brooks would be an idiot to ignore it. Comment #’s are way up as well…
Mystery to me, but for some f ‘ed up reason, people care about gossip more than sports and cute girls…..
12:33 am on November 30th, 2009
Truth of the matter is that Tiger Woods will get more notoriety now, than he already has… for being a poor driver, Lol.
12:38 am on November 30th, 2009
Brooks: Let me guess: You are either a frustrated middle-aged woman who is titillated by gossip….or you are a very effeminate male who feels all creamy inside when you sense that a juicy little piece of “relationship” drama is about to unfold.
Sad.
1:12 am on November 30th, 2009
By and large I have not had a problem with Brooks, until he started pontificating that Tiger should lose his endorsements. I again ask for what. For an alleged affair that is reported by the National Enquirer. For getting into an accident, for which there was no alcohol reportedly involved? As I stated before, there are athletes who have been accused for far worse than what Tiger is accused of, who have endorsements. I actually watched two of them tonight. One who plays for the Ravens, who was on trial for murder, and was convicted of obstruction of justice in that murder investigation, and another who played for the Steelers who is accused in civil court of sexual assault. I believe Tiger got his ass kicked for this nonsense, but so the hell what? Show me the crime.
1:36 am on November 30th, 2009
Tiger will hug his wife and get a hole in one.
9:35 am on November 30th, 2009
I agree with the comments already posted and Brooks, unfortunately, really seems obsessed with the Tiger case. I agree, the story is oddly fascinating, but your illogical demands that he speak about a private matter (why should he??…don’t you also have certain expectations of privacy??), and your wild assumptions that sponsors would for some bizarre reason “pull his endorsement deals” because he won’t address a private matter publicly (WTF??) unfortunately paint you as an unreasonable, vindictive person and compromise your credibility as a writer.
10:06 am on November 30th, 2009
LIVE AND LET LIVE
11:02 am on November 30th, 2009
National Enquirer broke the John Edwards affair. They may be wrong on aliens and Carole Burnett but they have a patent or something on affairs.
11:20 am on November 30th, 2009
By the looks of the SUV I wouldnt have spill my coffee in that Cadillac…now he his uncouncious in the middle of the street….. hmmmm and no police report bizarre,,,,are the police waiting for another OJ Simpson story in the making….to be continue
11:25 am on November 30th, 2009
LEAVE TIGER ALONE! When the Enquirer publishes the name of the “friend” they are getting their quotes from, I will reconsider their verasity! THEY ARE A RAG SHEET! Tiger’s fame is in his golf game. His personal life IS HIS OWN!
11:29 am on November 30th, 2009
Frank, you’re an idiot! Why don’t you get your facts straight. Even if they do charge his wife with domestic abuse, do you really think Tiger is going to press charges?
11:34 am on November 30th, 2009
I did not already say that even if a charge of domestic violence is made. do you really think Tiger will press charges? Get real!l
11:35 am on November 30th, 2009
”National Enquirer”. How much of their reporting is actually true?
after being sued into bankruptcy in the 80’s they have really done some great reporting, and story finding since then, thats why you don’t hear from them every month like we used to.
Howard Stern put it best, ” If they really want to find Bin Laden give the Nation Enquirer 10 million and they will have him by Friday”.
And I believe that statement
11:47 am on November 30th, 2009
Irene,actualy im not an idiot Tiger his …cheated on his wife got cought and now in deep shit….I couldnt care less about this bum I used to like him but since I saw him do his thing on the golf course get mad ect…This is a gentlemens game…the Greats dont do that…what you see on the golf course is about 3% what you see at home in private…A bum his a bum what can i say…Theres always a bad apple in every sports Tiger is one of them period.
12:25 pm on November 30th, 2009
By the way IRENE are you a battered woman you seems to like it?
2:25 pm on November 30th, 2009
sounds to me like a publicity stunt for a florida movie studio on their new film, “DIARY OF A MAD WHITE WOMAN”.
2:45 pm on November 30th, 2009
tiger is great i think his wife married him for his money she has him by the balls by having two kids by him he will say anything to save the marriage it would cost him a shit load of money
2:53 pm on November 30th, 2009
I do not care of any celebrity but I think us people need to support only local manufacturer for their clothing or any other item so we can bring jobs in us.We need to stop supporting outside suppliers.
2:59 pm on November 30th, 2009
tiger you might be better off just saying she beat the hell out of you that way when you go to court you can get her for spousal abuse and save some money for your new girlfriend lol
4:19 pm on November 30th, 2009
Who cares? Its Tiger’s business,no crime was commited and TW owes the public NOTHING!!! Hey Kregiel, shut the hell up!
8:35 pm on November 30th, 2009
I feel that we have went to far with people in general lives. Marriage is no longer look at how you can make it last but how you can distrory a marriage. We have problems in marriage but it’s the conmentement that makes it work. Ups and down bad or worst.
We live for the moment, and not for ever lasting. Tiger a good man and there is alot of tail out there which is waiting get a rich man. If he did do it, he will not be the first and for sure he will not be the last. This has been going on for centuries and we look at this as its; the first time this has happen.
Give this couple time to repair the marriage and privacy and move on. Take care Mr & Mrs Wooods
9:15 pm on November 30th, 2009
If you like publicity when you hit a golf ball you have to accept it when you hit a fire hydrant. Laying unconscious in the middle of a road is not private.
If she would have broken his fingers all the Tiger lovers, and Nike, would be crying out for justice. Call spousal abuse what it is BEFORE someone dies.
10:17 pm on November 30th, 2009
Leave Tiger alone ,he is entitle to his own private life {A Home Life} thats out of your sight or{ nose problem},be respectful of others ,who died and made you Judges,let Tiger live his life and Brooks get a life{why don’t you}Did you learn to treat others the way you want to be treated,What happen to that Male thing where men need to understand another males troubles,don’t make it worst for Tiger or his wife,this is not OJ.,THIS IS A CAR ACCIDENT OK,with a Wife as The Hero,saving her husdand,HOW SWEET IS THAT,BROOKS
3:27 am on December 1st, 2009
Tiger is doing the right thing. He owes an explanation to nobody. The only thing public is that he was in a car accident with some minor cuts. Those are the facts. How it happens is none of our business. All these speculations are the media’s attempt to squeeze out as much news as they can before interest dies. No good can come from Tiger addressing this because any words he say can and will be analyzed, dissected and interpreted in millions of ways by the media, truth or not. It will get out of his control. The best way to stay in control is not to add fuel to the fire.
9:35 am on December 1st, 2009
Once you accept the job as a public figure, I think everything you do is under scrutiny. Unfortunately people like to use their status to sell products, and want their names to be a household item, but when it blows up in their face, they want to withdraw and tell the public not to ask questions,accept anything they say…I’m sorry but if you accept the public life, then grow up and answer the questions….I’ve always thought he was an arrogant person…..he is telling his followers he is above the law….just answer the questions !!!! you idiot !!!
11:43 am on December 1st, 2009
I have much respect and admiration for Tiger, even though I am not a golfer. I also believe people should normally be entitled to privacy. This case is a little different in my opinion because of the $100 million Tiger accepts every year for endorsements. It would appear that Tiger wants the money, but not the responsibilities that go along with these endorsements.
12:34 pm on December 1st, 2009
Hell, nothing short of murder or having sex with a man, could not stop Nike from standing behind their golden boy. Rebok stood behind Iverson and he chased his naked wife into the street with a shot gun. Dream on if you expect a crappy co. like nike to do anything else.
12:54 pm on December 1st, 2009
Why do we always want to jump in and tear a person’s reputation apart when it’s really none of our business?? This craving for celebrity head-hunting is getting really bizarre these days. Just because a person is well known, they still need privacy. Whatever happened here seems strictly between Tiger and his wife. They don’t need America peeping in their windows trying to figure out what happened. Would you like it done to you??? And, the National Enquirer??? Come on! They see Space Aliens…’nuf said! Leave Tiger alone.
1:20 pm on December 1st, 2009
Give me a break! I was disgusted when I saw all the News media trucks around Tigers’ Den. I know he is a celebriity and everything he does in news, but he is also person with very sensitve feelings. If it was a domestic occurance as hinted to lately, so what. I probably count the time my wife would have loved to take a 9 iron to me. Leave him be!
1:23 pm on December 1st, 2009
We LOVE dirt on people…..how sad. Here is a man who grew up a child in the public eye and nothing bad was ever presented in his character.
Now just the hint and this is news? No its not; its the suppressed immaturity of those whos lives are less, wanting to scream to the world “SEE SEE everyone is bad, that makes my behavior and conduct acceptable!”
He and his wife and are entitled to the privacy. Or is that the harsh point for all these critiques? Can’t get in on the details can you? Not ENTITLED to know their private lives?
We’ll your not. Stop writing about something thats not even a speculation; just a summation of an opinion without a basis of fact.
Even if it is true; and I hope for their sake its not; its THEIRS; not yours. Stop being a pompous ass and go help feed the homeless tonight at the local shelter.
1:33 pm on December 1st, 2009
I have never liked Woods from day one and everyone is quick to defend hime now. The reason why the public is entitled to know the truth about his “steppn out” has everything to do with the fabricated image he and Nike try to portray he has of the squeakly clean republican family man. We just want to see him for the hypocrite he really is. If this was all about John Daley then it would be no big deal,. Where there is smoke there is fire and in this case I hope his wife gets 1/2 of everything he owns cause she can do better!
3:13 pm on December 1st, 2009
lol,tigerlily gets everything he wants for nuthin cept Rachel Uchitel. She gets some real mad money from our boy tigerlily. She knows what she’s doin. He was probably the easiest john she ever had. He couldn’t get Elin w/o his celebrity or his money. So with a lotta power and his so called privacy, he gets caught. Give him the gas. Elin gets big bucks, the kids, the homes, the boat and his nutz to fry. You go girl.
Buh bye, tigerlily.
11:38 am on December 2nd, 2009
As far as I know there is no legal obligation to talk to the police in an minor accident where there is no damage to life,property or otherwise.I have been in that position myself and have refused so ,as far as I am concerned,Tiger is on good legal ground.Secondly why should he make a statement generally?The media are going to have their fun anyway so a statement from him is not going to prevent that.Thirdly these non-sensical statements ablut being sorry for letting down your family etc are a load of crap.Most people are sorry when they get caught but they enjoyed themselves while they were doing it and will do it again.He is not a politician so he doesn’t have to worry about votes.The fallout ,if any,from sponsors will be minimal and,anyway,he’s earned a cool billion already so he must have a net worth of at least six hundred million.He young,handsome,super-rich and super-famous;what is the point of being all that if he can’t enjoy his life to the fullest and get whatever he wants?Let’s be honest.Wouldn’t we all like that?
8:58 am on December 8th, 2009
Fuzzy lost his endorsements….?!!!?