Accenture, a global consulting firm, became the first of Tiger Woods' sponsors to completely cut ties with the golfer Sunday. Accenture released a statement saying it was ending its business agreement with Woods, who had represented the company for six years.
“After careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that he is no longer the right representative for its advertising,” the statement said.
On Friday, Woods had announced he was taking an “indefinite” break from golf and admitted for the first time that he had committed “infidelities.”
On Saturday, Gillette announced it would not run Woods' advertisements for an indefinite period, though it did not end the relationship. AT&T said Saturday in a statement that it was “reevaluating” its relationship with Woods. Earlier last week, Gatorade discontinued its Gatorade Tiger Focus drink but denied the timing had anything to do with his current controversies.
Both Nike and Electronic Arts, the makers of the EA Sports games, have so far indicated they are sticking with Woods.
Nike said in a statement on Saturday, “Tiger has been part of Nike for more than a decade. He is the best golfer in the world and one of the greatest athletes of his era. We look forward to his return to golf. He and his family have Nike's full support.”
Tag Heuer also on Monday said it will continue its association with Woods. Speaking to the Associated Press, Tag Heuer spokeswoman Mariam Sylla said, “We will continue…He's the best in his domain.
“We respect his performance in the sport,” she said, adding that Woods' personal life is “not our business.”
