Tiger: He’ll be Bigger Than Ever
I resisted commenting on Tiger Woods for as long as I could.
What’s hard to understand is why everyone is surprised at his extra-curricular activities. It strikes me that fooling around is more normal than an aberration for the well-connected, the rich and/or the famous.
While it strikes me that fooling around is more the normal than an aberration for the well-connected, the rich and/or the famous, there’s no escaping that virtually everyone with access to the public microphone is sounding off.
In our society, a public figure is not entitled to privacy and it’s fair game to probe into every cranny of a celebrity’s private life. A rationale for voyeurism.
As for Tiger, I’m not a golfer, so am immune to his charisma.
Friends justify curiosity by saying he’s always presented as squeaky clean, so when he proves susceptible to temptations of the flesh it’s somehow our business, too.
I don’t agree, but that’s one of the arguments.
A couple of aspects I do find interesting – especially the report that in a prenuptial agreement, if his wife divorces now, she gets something like $25 million. But if she stays in the same house with him for two more years, she’d get $60 million.
One of the ladies who works where I do – the inestimable Rosie, source of all wisdom – was scolding that Tiger was a creep, no better than other philanderers, for expecting his wife to share their house in order for her to get $60 million she deserves.
Her argument was that $60 million from the first athlete to earn over $1 billion was peanuts, and by not giving her at least that, he showed his stingy nature.
“But,” I argued. “If she can get $25 million now, why not just take it and run?”
“Why shouldn’t he do the right thing and give her $60 million? Cheapskate.”
I reminded her that as the daughter of a Swedish radio journalist, his wife would have difficulty ever spending $25 million, even with two kids. Rosie wouldn’t budge.
I think if the wife stays with him on the prospects of $35 million more after two years, she is the creep. Or at least the greedy one, in a category similar Paul McCartney’s ex-wife who thinks she’s worth more of McCartney’s wealth than anyone else thinks she’s worth.
U.S. talk-show people wallow in the story with ill-concealed lust. (An exception is comedian Dennis Miller who, as an unabashed conservative, thinks the whole escapade is none of his business and refuses to join the herd).
A report in the Toronto Sun’s sports pages even discusses five mistresses for Tiger, complete with nude photos.
Some think his endorsements may dry up in light of his indiscretions.
Nonsense. He’ll likely be more popular than ever. The only endorsements Tiger’s actions may cost him are for automobiles - especially after his confrontation with a fire hydrant, a tree and possibly his wife’s golf club. He’ll likely be a bigger attraction than before, assuming the fire hydrant, tree or golf club haven’t affected his swing.
Anyway, my bet is wifey will stick with Tiger – give him another chance. Life is too good in his wake. As for Tiger – he will stray again. They always do. Unless, of course, it is Bill Clinton, who has since become a practicing celibate.