Tiger’s return overshadows the Masters: ESPN becomes TMZ
Well the 2010 Masters is underway in Augusta GA., but does it not have a celebrity-gossip magazine feel to it? I mean, as much as you want to thank Tiger Woods for the past memories, you want to choke him for the tabloid feel that has engulfed this historic event.
ESPN has a hole by hole (we’re talking golf here folks) analysis of Tiger. And if the “World Wide Leader In Sports” has stooped to this level what do you think TMZ has going on? Not to say that there aren’t Tiger Woods fans who would love to know his every move, but this is a first.
But we are talking about a very powerful man here. Tiger Woods isn’t a person, he’s an institution. He’s grossed a billion dollars for crying out loud. Where was golf before this guy. When Tiger was hurt, how many people stopped watching golf? I’m talking about a guy who single-handedly (well double-handedly actually) redefined golf. Not as far as rules of course, but in popularity. How many of you can tell me who the number one golfer in the world was before Tiger? Probably very few. (and I’m gonna prove my point by not Googling it and not giving you the answer. Because I don’t know.) Golf just seems more fun to watch when Tiger is playing.
So in comes the disappointment.
An Escalade driven by Tiger smashed into a tree. Tiger asleep on the grass. His beautiful, petite wife suspected of spousal abuse. And this was just day one. Unless you were trapped in a cave the past 6 months then you know what proceeded. Hence the disappointment. Kind of hard to believe a man with the world in his hands could be so careless. I mean some of the accusations are just flat-out bizarre (not gonna go into detail).
But this is the stuff that sells. Tiger’s bad decisions have led to a goldmine for tabloids across the world. How did this well-spoken, articulate golf genius not know that there would be a catastrophic backlash to these careless actions? Sponsors dropping off like flies (my favorite being Gatorade who last year decided to make an animated, youthful Tiger taking life lessons in the woods from a bear; how’s that for irony) and public opinion dropping like a sack of golf balls.
I personally believe that Tiger deserves a little mercy. None of us are perfect. But the argument to that “none of us are perfect” quip is that none of “us” are on TV selling our image. There is a sense of deception now with Tiger that will take years to patch up, if ever.
I also think that the TMZ’s of the world should stick to Lindsay Lohan’s addictions and leave the Masters alone. Stay in Hollywood and out of Augusta. And ESPN should leave the tabloid-esque journalism to the tabloids. I like my Sportscenter with highlights from the playing field. Not an athletes sexual deviancy. It’s just not the right forum for it.
So if you’re not a Tiger Woods fan, then you should be happy with the way the media has crucified him. But if you’re like me and think this guy deserves a mulligan (a second-chance in golf terms) then let’s back off. Not necessarily for the sake of Tiger, but for the sake of golf.
Oh, and by the way. Fred Couples led the Masters after the first day with a 6-under par. Tiger was 2 strokes behind. Looks like it’s shaping up for a great Sunday in Augusta.
Article By: Eric Broadrick
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Short URL: http://murfreesboronewspress.com/?p=1145
Posted by murfreesboronews
on Apr 10 2010. Filed under Murfreesboro Opinion, Murfreesboro Sports.
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