Great Time To Buy Tiger!

The NY Times's Ken Belson talks to merchandising and packaging experts who say Tiger's a good buy right now. Naturally, I just enjoy reading quotes about a product that doubles as a person.

“He was brought down, but he’s rebuilding again and rebuilding a different way,” said Ira Mayer, the publisher of the Licensing Letter, a newsletter than tracks merchandising deals. “At this point, he’s the underdog, and that’s a strategy, too. Bill Clinton survived worse, and Tiger is not a head of state.”

This year, Woods has won $660,000 on the PGA Tour, a far cry from the $10.5 million he earned in 2009.

But whatever his troubles, he remains the highest-paid athlete in the world. Last year, he earned more than $62 million from prize money and endorsements, 51 percent less than in 2008, according to the annual study by Sports Illustrated. In the wake of his personal and professional difficulties, Nike, EA Sports and other sponsors did not walk away.

Rolex partnered with Woods until 2002, when he switched to another watchmaker, Tag Heuer. When that deal ended this summer, Rolex re-signed him. Rolex was motivated to work with Woods not just because it competes with Tag Heuer, but also because he remains a popular figure overseas, particularly with wealthy consumers, branding executives said.

“Internationally, he’s been forgiven more quickly,” said Bob Dorfman, who writes the Sports Marketers’ Scouting Report. “It’s a good time to buy Tiger in that sense.”

The story goes on to quote Tiger talking about the Fuse product and how he had scientists independently verify the validity of the product claims. Let's just hope he doesn't get accused of cheating with another power drink like he did during the Gatorade days.