After the amazing rally and win at the U.S. Open against Rocco Mediate, in sudden death on Monday, concerns over Tiger’s knee were rampant. And with good reason. The man was feeling pain at virtually every drive. In my opinion the only reason there was a playoff and a close event at the US Open was because of the recovering knee. A healthy Tiger Woods beats everyone when he wants to, by as much as he would like.
How big is this loss?
“The Tiger Effect has been with us so long now that it takes jolting events like Monday's U.S. Open playoff victory and Woods' relapsing knee to remind everyone of all the numerical impacts the man has. Besides booming TV numbers for NBC and ESPN, Woods also drove record-setting hits all over the Internet.”
Tiger Woods is perhaps the most capable athlete in the world at helping to move the U.S. economy. From ticket sales at events he appears at (influencing additionally airline tickets, hotels, restaurants, and various knick-knacks and impulse purchases at the events), advertising prices for coverage of golfing events on television and the internet, to sales of anything related to golf (clubs, clothing, golf balls, ect.) Tiger has an impact that does not have a real comparison.
And I have to wonder what happens if Tiger gets beat.
I don’t mean by another player. As uncommon as that may be, statistically it has to happen occasionally, we have seen it. I mean by his knee or any other potential injury while he is still young and early in his career. While I would hope this would never happen, injuries may be the only real opponent that Tiger has to face. And it’s the only opponent that realistically can prevent him from breaking every record the game has in place.
That would seriously hurt golf worldwide. Prize money at every event has increased since the first pro win by Tiger. Without his presence, other players might run higher in world ratings, but likely will make less money as interest wanes. Sales can decrease as the dream of competing with or playing with the living legend becomes fixed as just dreams. While perhaps a generation of kids will likely still stay involved with golf, the potential reach to new generations might end.
And millions lose a role model of poise under pressure, education, success, self-discipline, and moderation. Think about it, Tiger is the single most successful athlete in the world. No one makes his kind of money and has so little negative press. He is a good family man, without drug addictions or alcohol abuse, without scandals for fighting or paternity lawsuits. Hell, even the opponents he plays are grateful for the chance to compete with him – except for Fuzzy Zoeller – noting that he is the best around. Name another athlete, celebrity, or entertainer you hear competitors say that about.
So I’m not surprised that media sellers and the PGA are fearful. I can see how economists will have to make a (minor) adjustment to economic projections. And I can see that a whole sports industry is nervous about their futures.
Tiger is out for another season, and I hope it means he will be back healthy soon after. Because a world without Tiger Woods in the headlines detracts from everyone’s life in more ways than most ever imagine.
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