Upper Deck standing by Tiger Woods

Posted Dec 15, 2009 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Dec 15, 2009 at 07:24 PM

Tiger Woods may be losing sponsorships because of recent revelations about his personal life, but Upper Deck is not severing its business relationship with the world’s No. 1 golfer.

“Tiger and his family have our full support,” Upper Deck CEO Richard McWilliam said in a statement released Tuesday.
Woods has been a golf spokesman and has signed autographs for Upper Deck since 2001.

UD and the Upper Deck Authenticated collectibles division will continue its exclusive relationship with Woods, McWilliam said.

“We look forward to his eventual return to the PGA Tour,” he said.

Woods has taken a sabbatical from golf while he works to fix his marriage after allegations of infidelity.

While Upper Deck has not produced a golf card set since 2005, Woods’ autographs and game-used swatches have been featured in sets depicting other sports.

For years, Woods’ name and signature have been golden for his sponsors. According to figures released Tuesday from TNS Media Intelligence and reported by The Associated Press, Woods’ top six sponsors have spent about $79.3 million on ads featuring Woods or his name through October 2009.

On Upper Deck’s Web site, collectors still can purchase such items as Tiger Woods autographed shoes (on sale now for $1,049.99), or an autographed and embroidered 2005 Masters pin flag ($1,299.99). There are also items with Woods paired with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Besides Upper Deck, other companies sticking with Tiger include Nike and Electronic Arts.

So what do you, as a collector, think? Will the value of Woods’ cards and memorabilia take a temporary hit and then rebound, or will it drop for good? Let me know what you think.