Electronic Arts has famously stood by Tiger Woods after his multiple infidelities became public. However, that was before he went a year without winning any tournaments in the PGA.
“This is no threat against Tiger,” said EA CEO John Riccitiello. “We’re with him because he has the promise of being the world’s best golfer. We have no plans to move away from him, but it’s a business relationship on the basis of we make the best golf game and he’s the best golfer. Both of those things need to be true in the long run for the partnership to make sense.”
The fact that EA’s golf game for Facebook did not have Woods’ branding has been downplayed by executives. “We’re broadening the appeal of our golf business,” he said.
Despite the above, EA still feels loyalty for their long time partner in the golf space. “He sort of stuck with us for a very long time and we made great business together,” Riccitiello said, “and we’re willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for a period of time.”
Source: Reuters
