USPGA Tour prize money has risen 297 per cent since Tiger won his first major championship, the 1997 US Masters
Fri Jun 20 2008 - 01:00
USPGA Tour prize money has risen 297 per cent since Tiger won his first major championship, the 1997 US Masters. Total prize money on the American tour went from $70 million to $278 million this year.
US TV network NBC's viewing figures for USPGA Tour events rise 56 per cent when Tiger is in the field.
When Tiger missed the 2006 US Open due to the death of his father, viewing figures fell from 10.6 million to 5 million on NBC.
General Electric Co's NBC network said "big-city" ratings in the US were up 90 per cent for last Monday's US Open play-off against Rocco Mediate, compared with the last previous US Open play-off in 2001, when Retief Goosen beat Mark Brooks.
Tiger earned nearly $128 million in 2007, according to Forbes. This figure is made up of $22.9 million from on course earnings and approximately $105 million from sponsorship and others sources.
Of these, Nike pays $100 million over six years for all clothing, club and shoe rights.
Gatorade Tiger is a new drink launched last year for which Woods receives $20 million a year for the next five years.
Buick ensures Tiger's appearance at their own tournament, the Buick Open, courtesy of a five-year deal worth $40 million.
Computer game manufacturer EA Sports pays the player $10 million a year to put his name to the the Tiger Woods PGA Tour game series.