GOLF WORLD's "Bunker to Bunker" reports the "buzz" is
that Nike "made enough" money by selling TV and corporate
sponsorships packages for the Tiger Woods Invitational in
Japan "to recoup the entire first year" of Woods' Nike deal.
However, Woods' handlers, Hughes Norton and Alistair
Johnston of IMG, claim that the three-day exhibition was
"such an extravagant affair there's no way Nike came close
to covering the base salary of its highest paid golfer."
Nike paid Woods a reported $480,000, the "equivalent" of his
international appearance fee from a previous event and
"commensurate with" what Woods would have been paid for
playing in the Visa Taheio Masters, which he pulled out of
to play in the Nike event. GOLF WORLD adds that IMG "didn't
like" that its TV arm, TWI, "had only a minor role in the
sale of the event," which was run by Nike Sports
Entertainment (NSE). Fuji TV paid NSE a reported $1M a day
for the four days Woods played, "and that doesn't include
all the money taken in by Nike through corporate
sponsorship, pro-am spots and ticket sales" which ranged
from $250 for a one-day pass to $300 for the full event.
IMG's Johnston said Nike "did make money" on the event, "but
not as much as they could have made ... it wasn't enough to
liquidate what they paid to Tiger." NSE Dir Mike Golub:
"It's probably more of a break-even event for Nike, but it's
obviously a good thing for our business ... [the players]
were treated well and they wouldn't hesitate to work with
Nike Sports Entertainment again" (GOLF WORLD, 11/21 issue).
IRON MAN: GOLF WORLD notes that while in Japan, Woods
played a prototype set of Titleist irons, not his normal
Mizunos. But there is "no word" as to whether he will play
full-time with the Titleist irons (GOLF WORLD, 11/21).
OFF THE FAIRWAY: Lincoln-Mercury "is mulling over an
offer" to be the presenting sponsor of "as many as" six LPGA
tournaments to be broadcast on either ESPN or ESPN2 (Geoff
Johnson, GOLF WORLD, 11/21 issue)....Scott Hoch's newest
endorsement contract with Yonex "requires" him to play the
British Open (GOLF WORLD, 11/21 issue)....Phil Mickelson is
"prepared to sign" a new equipment contract "believed to be"
in the $25M range. Mickelson appears to be looking at
Karsten Manufacturing Corp. and Yonex (Lynn Henning, GOLF
WEEK, 11/21 issue)....GOLF WEEK's "Forecaddie" reports that
Ernie Els "will be hooking on" with adidas for apparel and
shoes. Els had been wearing Ashworth (GOLF WEEK, 11/22).
