Nike Scales Back Tiger's Internet Presence
CNBC Sports Business Reporter
Tiger Woods' indefinite leave has affected how the world's No. 1 golfer is featured on the Nike Golf Web site.
Instead of the usual Tiger on the brand's front page, it's now occupied by pictures of Justin Leonard and Paul Casey.
In fact, Woods isn't even featured on the athlete page.
The athlete on the top of that page is Stephen Ames.
In order to find out what Nike products Tiger uses, site users must click on Woods' name. Nike Brand President Charlie Denson admitted on Thursday that Woods' absence will affect sales.
"Certainly, we don't take the most successful player of this era and subtract it and don't expect a short term impact," Denson told Reuters. "I think the thing that we feel very strongly about and very good about is that our golf business is not just built around Tiger."
The Wall Street Journal revealed earlier this week that Nike will be launching its Victory Red STR8-FIT Tour fairway woods on Jan. 28 without mentioning Tiger Woods in its promotional materials.
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