The subject of Tiger Woods' marketability was debated by GOLF.com's weekly roundtable panel following Woods signing a deal with Rolex last week. Golf.com's Charlie Hanger wrote, “If Rolex is willing to sign him up now, imagine what will happen if he starts winning again? He might even get some more deals now, when the price to buy in is surely at an all-time low.” SI’s Mark Godich said, “Not sure he needs to start winning again to pad his account. In fact, I think the longer he goes without winning, the more the public will rally around him.” Golf.com’s David Dusek: “The offers will come back if Tiger starts to win. He won’t be able to command his pre-scandal price, but companies will want to associate with the comeback” (GOLF.com, 10/9). Meanwhile, in L.A., David Wharton noted big galleries “followed Woods all week" at the PGA Tour Frys.com Open, including a "drunk fan who charged onto the course during the final round and threw a hot dog at him before being apprehended” (L.A. TIMES, 10/10).
MILITARY INSPIRATION: The AP reported the design for Heat F LeBron James' latest edition of his LeBron 9 Nike is called "The Cannon” and was "inspired by the U.S. Air Force.” The military-green theme “is a nod to the Miami Heat having their first training camp since James joined the team last season at Hurlburt Field and Eglin Air Force Base.” The sneaker is priced at $170 and “will be released first in South Florida starting at midnight on Sunday” (AP, 10/8).
HIGH SEAS COURT: The AP’s Bernie Wilson noted the Carrier Classic, a men's basketball match up between Univ. of North Carolina and Michigan State “on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson” will take place on Nov. 11 and has signed a sponsor ship deal with Quicken Loans. Morale Entertainment Foundation Dir Mike Whalen said that “Quicken Loans has signed as the title sponsor and made a $111,111 donation to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society in honor of the game’s date, 11-11-11” (AP, 10/8).
ALL FOR ONE: Yesterday's episode of CBS’ “The NFL Today” featured a video montage of NFL clips intermixed with scenes from Summit Entertainment's upcoming release “The Three Musketeers.” It was also narrated by the stars of the film. After actress Milla Jovovich said, “This is ‘The NFL Today,’” CBS’ James Brown said, “Wow, Milla did a nice job there" ("The NFL Today," CBS, 10/9).
