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Tiger earns his $tripes
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April 14, 1997: 9:00 p.m. ET
Woods' historic victory makes his earning potential unlimited
From Correspondent Casey Wian
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LOS ANGELES (CNNfn) - The $486,000 Tiger Woods won at the Masters Sunday gives him $1.75 million so far in a brief but spectacular pro career that started less than a year ago.
Although the money pales in comparison to the $12 million he earns annually from Nike and Titleist, Woods' historic victory as the first black man ever to win the most prestigious golf tournament in the world could put him on par with another sports marketing icon, Michael Jordan.
Jim Smith, managing partner of Ground Zero, the advertising agency that created the ads for Jordan's cologne, said Woods could become sports most successful product endorser.
"(As) time goes on and inflation kicks in and the prices go higher, the number of personalities who are suitable -- suitable in particular over the long term -- gets shorter and shorter," he said. "So they're more in demand and that's good for the people in Tiger Woods' position."
Jordan's endorsement income is estimated at $38 million a year, while the Los Angeles Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal is No. 2 at $23 million.
Woods stands to match if not exceed them if he accepts the barrage of offers he is about to field.
After all, in addition to tearing down a racial barrier, Woods, 21, was the youngest ever to win the Masters, compiled the lowest score ever for the event and won by the largest margin of victory -- 12 strokes - for the title.
But Woods is very image conscious and it is believed he won't endorse any product that tarnishes the image he has cultivated.
"I've got probably two of the best sponsors in the world for the image I want to portray and the person who I am," Woods said. "And I think it's worked out perfectly, and as time goes along, I think it's going to be even better."
Barring any off-course developments, like those affecting John Daly who went from golf phenomenon to alcoholic, Woods, according to marketing pro Marty Blackman, has unlimited earning potential. (206K WAV) or (206K AIF)
Woods agent Hughes Norton of IMG told CNNfn he is talking to several companies about using his client to endorse their products. He would not disclose the names of the companies, but he said they are in the "soft drink, financial institution and automobile product categories."
Norton said he expects one of the deals to be "finalized very shortly" for the summer, and two others for 1998.
Woods is expected to choose his future endorsements carefully, but the only hazard he seems to face right now is overexposure.
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