Chinese laud Tiger’s infidelity
Sponsors have been doing everything possible to distance themselves from Tiger Woods in the wake of his recent controversies.
At least they have in the United States.
The same stigma is not attached to the act of infidelity in other countries.
According to the Sydney (Australia) Morning Herald, Woods' situation has helped his marketability in China.
Tag Heuer chief executive Jean-Christophe Babin told the newspaper that although the Swiss watchmaker has removed Woods' image from its ads in the United States, it has stepped up its marketing efforts in the world's most populous country.
"You have Tag Heuer with Tiger Woods everywhere (in China) because (with) the Chinese it rather increases their esteem," he said. "In China, by tradition, your success is measured by your number of mistresses."
The report cites a claim by Babin that the company's golf watch, which Woods co-designed, gained market share in December and recorded its highest sales ever in a month.
All of that could explain the many Wilt Chamberlain statues erected across China.
■ LET THEM EAT CAKE -- Politicians have been accused of pork-barrel spending for as long as they have had control of taxpayer money.
Pennsylvania state representative Mike Veon took the concept to a new level.
He added burritos and Chinese food into the equation.
Veon and three former staffers are on trial for corruption, and testimony revealed the Democrat had been providing dinners for his weekly pickup basketball game at taxpayer expense.
According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the practice ran from 2002 through 2006 and cost a total of $15,600.
Individual expenditures ranged from $35 for burritos to $420 for Chinese takeout.
How many people were playing in these games to account for a $420 Chinese takeout tab in Harrisburg, Pa.?
■ NET GAIN? -- The saying goes, "The only sure things in life are death and taxes."
A third could be added to the list: A professional sports franchise with no real tradition that is on its way to one of the worst seasons in league history will struggle to get anyone to show up to watch the games.
Such is life for the New Jersey Nets, who are turning to whatever gimmick they can to increase attendance.
The team even is willing to do the taxes of any fan willing to sit through Friday's game against the Orlando Magic.
New Jersey residents age 18 or older who attend the game will get a coupon they can redeem at a Roni Deutch Tax Center to get their state income tax done for free.
Deutch told the New York Times she is excited to align her company with the NBA's worst team.
"It's easy to jump on the Lakers' bandwagon," she said. "The hallmark of a strong company is one that aligns with young companies. I'm a betting woman, and I think the Nets are going to win a championship this decade."
If she plans on making many more bets like that, she might want to start charging people to do their taxes.
COMPILED BY ADAM HILL LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
