Yes he is getting all the attention for all the wrong reasons. We would much prefer to hear about his winnings and superior skills on the golf course than his late night liaisons. It continues to dominate the pages of most papers and for 12 days straight Woods has been on the cover of the NY Post and Daily News. The irony is just when you think it is over the next day there is more bizarre news. Like a chia pet of publicity it just keeps growing or the energizer bunny that just keeps going and going. People are getting tired of seeing it, hearing about it and yet they are still selling out of the papers that carry the story and have noticed an actual spike in sales. It is almost like looking at an accident on the side of the road you don’t want to look at but out of the corner of your eye you peek. It is becoming more like a Britney Spears train wreck that we keep watching. It is a very, very unfortunate situation for his family and fans. His wife and children are the ones that must be suffering the most and it is a sad time in golf.

Why the obsession with the Tiger Woods saga?

Fallen Hero – We love our sports heroes and we want them to excel in every aspect of their lives. While perhaps it is not correct to put them on a pedestal this is exactly what happens. They are held to a higher standard and when they fall it is a longer drop.

Golf has been so scandal free * – Golf has always been known for its clean cut image. It is a relatively low key, clean cut, play by the rules sport that has been scandal free with the exception of John Daly. This is out of left field for the sport, sports writers and the golfing / viewing public. Where is “Joe the golfer” when you need him to comment (Brother of Joe the Plumber).

R E S P E C T – Aretha Franklin says it best. People want to listen to a winner and someone they can respect. Finding that combination “a winner you can respect” is becoming harder each day. Perhaps it is the inflated salaries, the lack of education or that athletes are constantly surrounded by yes men. For many people Tiger seemed to embody that image and it definitely contributed to his allure and popularity.

People don’t like Cheaters – They feel deceived. Don’t cheat: Rule number #1 of any sport or board game for that matter. You heard it growing up form your mom, coach, teacher, on the playground “Nobody likes a cheater”.

Sex Sells – Unfortunately there is an insatiable appetite for sex scandals and it sells papers, draws ratings and makes people talk.

Speak no Evil, Hear no Evil, See no Evil

*John Daly