Tiger Woods, who recently signed a multiyear endorsement deal with dietary supplement company MusclePharm, has “turned his attention to the negativity surrounding supplement use,” with plans for his own "line of products, including liquids and bars
similar to those routinely consumed by golfers during their rounds,” according to Karen Crouse of the N.Y. TIMES. Scores of "prominent athletes with failed drug tests have blamed their results on tainted supplements, and health problems ranging from depression to kidney failure and heart attacks have been linked to products sold as dietary supplements.” Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg said, “Our goal is to take the stigma out of supplements. Tiger Woods, maybe the most fit golfer that we’ve had, let’s show that it’s O.K. to align yourself with supplements. Just be safe when you do it. That’s the message we collectively want to spread.” MusclePharm Chair & CEO Brad Pyatt said that Woods “can help the company become the industry’s gold standard.” Pyatt: “Tiger Woods is kind of the stamp of approval we were looking for.” Pyatt predicted there would be “something in the works” by the end of this year. Steinberg said that he had “thoroughly researched the company and was
satisfied with its commitment to putting the athlete first and producing
safe, healthful (and helpful) products.” Crouse noted Steinberg this month “held a troubleshooting session” with
PGA Tour Exec Dir of Policy Administration Andy Levinson. Steinberg said, “Anything we do, if we
create a Tiger line, we’ll make sure it’s approved by the tour, so
nobody’s going to ingest anything that puts him in harm’s way.” Crouse noted MusclePharm sponsored UFC in ‘09 and has gone on to
“acquire a stable of spokesmen that also includes” 49ers QB Colin
Kaepernick and Jets WR Eric Decker. The company said that it had “earned
revenue of more than” $110M in ‘13 (N.Y. TIMES, 6/29).
