Accenture Dumps Tiger Woods as Other Sponsors Back Away

Dec. 13, 2009— -- The new-look Tiger Woods, sullied by reports of extramarital affairs and his own admission of "infidelity," is "no longer the right representative" for the consulting firm Accenture.

The company became the latest sponsor to distance itself from the golf superstar -- and made perhaps the cleanest break yet.

"Accenture today announced that it will not continue its sponsorship agreement with Tiger Woods," the company wrote on its Web site.

Gillette said Saturday it would be "limiting [Woods'] role in our marketing programs," and AT&T said Friday it was "evaluating our ongoing relationship with him."

Unlike Accenture, however, neither Gillette nor AT&T so explicitly suggested its partership with Woods was completely over.

"For the past six years, Accenture and Tiger Woods have had a very successful sponsorship arrangement and his achievements on the golf course have been a powerful metaphor for business success in Accenture's advertising," Accenture wrote. "However, given the circumstances of the last two weeks, after careful consideration and analysis, the company has determined that he is no longer the right representative for its advertising. Accenture said that it wishes only the best for Tiger Woods and his family."

Companies began backing away from Woods this weekend after he announced late Friday that he would take "an indefinite break from professional golf" to deal with family issues -- most likely spurred by published claims of at least 11 extramarital affairs and links to prostitutes.

With a roster of high-profile endorsements, Woods became the first athlete to earn $1 billion, so his golf hiatus could mean major financial hits both for him and the PGA Tour.