EA to Make Announcement Regarding Tiger Woods

by pastapadre
Posted January 4th, 2010 at 1:04 pm

Ever since the news and compounding fallout surrounding Tiger Woods emerged one major focus of attention has been on his endorsements. Several companies have already dropped him or at the least been distancing themselves from him. EA originally was very supportive but that was before a lot of the details were found out. More recently they have wavered a bit in support though still definitive in that they had not made any decisions to make a change.

That may all be about to change. EA will be making an announcement within the next 24 hours regarding their sponsorship of Tiger Woods.

Obviously the natural reaction to this news is to assume that EA will be adjusting their relationship with Tiger Woods in some form. They would likely not have made a big deal about an announcement just to reiterate previous statements and they would want to avoid attaching their fortunes to him considering the story may take even more turns in the future.

This was the topic of an extensive article I posted in mid-December. Given the circumstances at the time it seemed increasingly likely that EA Sports would have to drop Tiger even if just for this coming year. If nothing else was to come out damaging his image and if he were to get back on the golf course and put it all behind him then EA would be in a position to bring him back on. They have been in the best position of his sponsors considering they have been able to take time to let the story play out before being forced to make a final decision.

Update: They are continuing with the rollout of Tiger Woods Online though they have not made anything clear regarding the console versions as of yet. That is where the biggest conflict lies considering the game releases for and sells the most on the family friendly Wii. It is unclear whether this news is all EA is referring to or if the full announcement is still to come.

Update #2: EA Sports president Peter Moore has posted a new blog regarding Tiger Woods Online and how Tiger will stay “on the masthead of this game”. Those words were likely chosen very carefully. Specifically referencing only “this game” leaves open the possibility of dropping him from the console versions though there is still plenty of time before they would have to announce that decision.

Tags:

KcKing2

FIRST! Anyway, Pasta, do you think there is ANY chance that someone like Mickelson could pick up the license? Either way, does this at all help put Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan, etc as a playable character?
KcKing2

FIRST! Anyway, Pasta, do you think there is ANY chance that someone like Mickelson could pick up the license? Either way, does this at all help put Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Hunter Mahan, etc as a playable character?
Tiller

Bye bye Tiger. So do they maybe not release the game this year? Or do they just make it PGA Golf and go more generic?
Tiller

Bye bye Tiger. So do they maybe not release the game this year? Or do they just make it PGA Golf and go more generic?
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Would not think they'll put anyone else on the cover. Most likely it becomes PGA Tour Golf 11 without a particular player branding the name or cover. Otherwise you end up with talk being about the "guy who replaced Tiger". If they are trying to distance themselves they won't want that coming up all the time.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Would not think they'll put anyone else on the cover. Most likely it becomes PGA Tour Golf 11 without a particular player branding the name or cover. Otherwise you end up with talk being about the "guy who replaced Tiger". If they are trying to distance themselves they won't want that coming up all the time.
Quilly

Im So High I Can Bite A Star
Quilly

Im So High I Can Bite A Star
http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

If Tiger is dropped gone and with EA restructuring their portfolio of games, I wouldn't be surprised if no golf game is released by the company in 2010.
http://intensedebate.com/people/sroeland sroeland

If Tiger is dropped gone and with EA restructuring their portfolio of games, I wouldn't be surprised if no golf game is released by the company in 2010.
http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

That's something I hadn't considered really until just now. The game does sell really well on the Wii and does decently on other platforms. The cost of paying Tiger though vs sales when accounting for damages based on all the news surrounding him though makes it a possibility I suppose.

GoMagic

If EA secures Augusta and The Masters, it will be in their best interest to change the name of the game to something like "Masters PGA TOUR Golf 2011" or something else to include the Masters in the title. I can think of only one golf property worthy of being on the front of the box other than Tiger Woods…and The Masters is it by a mile.

GoMagic

Just to add, this is assuming EA is obligated to include "PGA TOUR" in the title.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

That's something I hadn't considered really until just now. The game does sell really well on the Wii and does decently on other platforms. The cost of paying Tiger though vs sales when accounting for damages based on all the news surrounding him though makes it a possibility I suppose.

GoMagic

If EA secures Augusta and The Masters, it will be in their best interest to change the name of the game to something like "Masters PGA TOUR Golf 2011" or something else to include the Masters in the title. I can think of only one golf property worthy of being on the front of the box other than Tiger Woods…and The Masters is it by a mile.

GoMagic

Just to add, this is assuming EA is obligated to include "PGA TOUR" in the title.

http://intensedebate.com/people/cdj cdj

This weekend I noticed the very generic game placeholders for NCAA Football 2011 and Madden 2011 at ebgames.com, but didn't find anything for a golf title. I wonder if they were told to hold off on that until an announcement was made on what direction they will go.
http://intensedebate.com/people/cdj cdj

This weekend I noticed the very generic game placeholders for NCAA Football 2011 and Madden 2011 at ebgames.com, but didn't find anything for a golf title. I wonder if they were told to hold off on that until an announcement was made on what direction they will go.
GoMagic

I hope EA views this as an opportunity and makes a broader and more complete golf game. Being associated with Tiger im sure restricts a lot of what goes into the game in the same way the NFL controls Madden. For instance, this can remove the chains off the actual roster (maybe finally get Lefty in the game) and probably a handful of 'non Tiger approved' courses or tournament sponsors.

Not only on the roster, but also in equipment. No longer will Nike drivers be better than TaylorMade Drivers. No longer with Nike One be the best non-fantasy ball. Maybe now there will be more of a balance.

This can be a huge win for all of us if EA's great golf game becomes larger in scope. Endless possibilities.
GoMagic

I hope EA views this as an opportunity and makes a broader and more complete golf game. Being associated with Tiger im sure restricts a lot of what goes into the game in the same way the NFL controls Madden. For instance, this can remove the chains off the actual roster (maybe finally get Lefty in the game) and probably a handful of 'non Tiger approved' courses or tournament sponsors.

Not only on the roster, but also in equipment. No longer will Nike drivers be better than TaylorMade Drivers. No longer with Nike One be the best non-fantasy ball. Maybe now there will be more of a balance.

This can be a huge win for all of us if EA's great golf game becomes larger in scope. Endless possibilities.
JoJo

You now have Micky D's sponsors now Pasta? Looks like somebody just sold us out. We support your site and in return you cashed us in like suckers. Where's my check Pasta?

…

mcdonalds has been here where have u been

JoJo

You now have Micky D's sponsors now Pasta? Looks like somebody just sold us out. We support your site and in return you cashed us in like suckers. Where's my check Pasta?

…

mcdonalds has been here where have u been

http://intensedebate.com/people/budsticky budsticky

I've said it before on here and I'll say it again: I hope that if this does go down EA seizes the opportunity to really step up their game for the 360/PS3 versions. Without the TW name to sell copies I hope they finally deliver more in the gameplay department because those versions have gone totally stale for me. Although in the end it probably wouldn't be enough to trump the great Wii experience last year, so I guess for me it doesn't really matter if they innovate on the consoles or not. I can't see going back to controlling a golf game with a standard controller, but an improved experience for those that don't have a Wii would be nice.
http://intensedebate.com/people/budsticky budsticky

I've said it before on here and I'll say it again: I hope that if this does go down EA seizes the opportunity to really step up their game for the 360/PS3 versions. Without the TW name to sell copies I hope they finally deliver more in the gameplay department because those versions have gone totally stale for me. Although in the end it probably wouldn't be enough to trump the great Wii experience last year, so I guess for me it doesn't really matter if they innovate on the consoles or not. I can't see going back to controlling a golf game with a standard controller, but an improved experience for those that don't have a Wii would be nice.
http://intensedebate.com/people/budsticky budsticky

I've said it before on here and I'll say it again: I hope that if this does go down EA seizes the opportunity to really step up their game for the 360/PS3 versions. Without the TW name to sell copies I hope they finally deliver more in the gameplay department because those versions have gone totally stale for me. Although in the end it probably wouldn't be enough to trump the great Wii experience last year, so I guess for me it doesn't really matter if they innovate on the consoles or not. I can't see going back to controlling a golf game with a standard controller, but an improved experience for those that don't have a Wii would be nice.

As far as the series being canceled outright as some have suggested on here, that could be a possibility on 360/PS3. Maybe the game goes Wii exclusive for a year as I don't see them passing up on those sales. By the time the version after this year releases Project Natal should be out and they can take advantage of that and possibly bring back Tiger to boot. I'm not sure when PS3's motion controlled thing is supposed to drop.
http://intensedebate.com/people/budsticky budsticky

I've said it before on here and I'll say it again: I hope that if this does go down EA seizes the opportunity to really step up their game for the 360/PS3 versions. Without the TW name to sell copies I hope they finally deliver more in the gameplay department because those versions have gone totally stale for me. Although in the end it probably wouldn't be enough to trump the great Wii experience last year, so I guess for me it doesn't really matter if they innovate on the consoles or not. I can't see going back to controlling a golf game with a standard controller, but an improved experience for those that don't have a Wii would be nice.

As far as the series being canceled outright as some have suggested on here, that could be a possibility on 360/PS3. Maybe the game goes Wii exclusive for a year as I don't see them passing up on those sales. By the time the version after this year releases Project Natal should be out and they can take advantage of that and possibly bring back Tiger to boot. I'm not sure when PS3's motion controlled thing is supposed to drop.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Sidewinder Sidewinder

To me, it seems very possible that EA would just say they're taking a break from it right alongside Tiger. They're really starting to get serious about cutting back games and just the mention of a game called "PGA Tour Golf" sounds so bland and generic. When you think about it, this might even help them because they can save money this year and work take that time to make serious improvements when Tiger comes back.
http://intensedebate.com/people/Sidewinder Sidewinder

To me, it seems very possible that EA would just say they're taking a break from it right alongside Tiger. They're really starting to get serious about cutting back games and just the mention of a game called "PGA Tour Golf" sounds so bland and generic. When you think about it, this might even help them because they can save money this year and work take that time to make serious improvements when Tiger comes back.
ThePatDown

It would suck to not have Tiger as a playable character if EA decided to let him go. How can you have a golf game without Tiger?
ThePatDown

It would suck to not have Tiger as a playable character if EA decided to let him go. How can you have a golf game without Tiger?
TWINSTON

ALL THIS OVER SOME ASS MY GOD GIVE HIM A BREAK THAT'S HIS PERSONNEL LIFE
TWINSTON

ALL THIS OVER SOME ASS MY GOD GIVE HIM A BREAK THAT'S HIS PERSONNEL LIFE
http://twitter.com/DaveDQ @DaveDQ

The image for this story is hilarious. Pasta knows it too.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Interesting

http://twitter.com/DaveDQ @DaveDQ

The image for this story is hilarious. Pasta knows it too.

http://intensedebate.com/people/pastapadre pastapadre

Interesting

LevelHead

Well they should cut him loose and use those millions they pay him back into development. The game has hardly evolved over the years. This could also be a good reason to not have a PGA game this year. We don't need annual releases if it means real innovations and growth for the IP.

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+1

LevelHead

Well they should cut him loose and use those millions they pay him back into development. The game has hardly evolved over the years. This could also be a good reason to not have a PGA game this year. We don't need annual releases if it means real innovations and growth for the IP.

…

+1

KcKing2

What about getting them in there as playable characters? Was Tiger stopping that, are THEY stopping that or is EA?
KcKing2

What about getting them in there as playable characters? Was Tiger stopping that, are THEY stopping that or is EA?