A PGA Tour Response to Tiger

As allegations have morphed into seemingly factual claims, the Tiger Woods aura going forward is going to be somewhat tarnished as he will likely go from a private family man to a man with a reputation of promiscuity and profligatory behavior.

Unlike team sports like football, baseball, soccer, etc., golf institutionalizes its players; where no single football player is larger than the NFL or no baseball player is larger than the MLB; the PGA Tour is not as much a "league" (in that sense) as it is a competitive home for the world's best individuals (golfers). Basketball and golf are related in that commercial success is found in its superstars (visibility, marketability, public perception). The revelations of a less-than sound moral compass for Tiger Woods is, obviously, a knock to the PGA Tour's marketability of its best player, most famous star.

Tiger will need to be active going forward in restoring his public perception; although I believe that this will be best accomplished by a strict "no comment" policy on the matter. When probed about it, Tiger should respond with ambiguous, bland statements; "It's a family matter between Ellin and I. I apologize. Her and I are working forward together."

But, let's not for a second forget the greatest recipe for alleviation in controversy surrounding sports, winning.

However, the PGA Tour will need a response. With calls for the Barbara Walters, half-hour prime-time tell-all, conversations breaking out in talk show and radio circles from The View and Glenn Beck to jokes made during half time of NBA games, with sports and editorial writers alike calling for a moral response from Tiger, the Tour has found itself in a public relations whirlwind -- one that I'm sure they are hoping fades further into the depths than the Tim Donaghy scandal, Kobe or Ben Roethlisberger's rape allegations.

The exact predicament that the Tour needs to avoid is the Pete Rose saga -- where a league related backlash and censure (band from the Hall of Fame) recycles the story.

Perhaps the Tour, if they haven't before, needs to set a precedent with regard to the personal lives of its players; "The PGA Tour does not comment on the personal matters of its players. We support our players and if they desire will provide them with professional support. We will continue to support and privately provide them with any needs they may have in the future."

Photo(s): Tiger Woods