Unlike Accenture, AT&T, and Gatorade (it’s the “G,” apparently), EA has stated that it will be sticking with beleaguered golf superstar, Tiger Woods.  Despite the multiple staggering number of incidents of infidelity and allegations of drug use, EA has come out in support of the world’s best golfer, stating that "We didn't form a relationship with him so that he could act as an arm's length endorser. Far from it. We chose to partner with Tiger in 1997 because we saw him as the world's best, most talented and exciting golfer,” and that Tiger would appear on the masthead of EA’s golf titles.  But did they mean it?

Among many banal inquiries, a recent a third party survey by EA includes the questions “EA SPORTS makes a Tiger Woods video game. Has the controversy made your impressions of EA SPORTS more or less favorable, or has it had no impact?” and “Has the controversy made you more or less likely to buy a Tiger Woods related video game in the future?”

So maybe they’re not quite so sure about sticking with Tiger.  Technically, EA’s statement on the subject, made by Peter Moore, referred only to Tiger Woods PGA Tour Online, the golf MMO for PCs, so their intentions for the console releases of the game are still unknown.

If I were EA, and I’m pretty sure I’m not, my golf game in 2010 would be simply called EA Sports PGA Tour Golf 2011.  No Tiger, because he elicits far too much negative reaction at this point,and no replacement star because putting anyone, even Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus, on the cover instead of Woods would be a huge step down for the series.  Instead, taking the approach that EA does with the NBA and NHL is likely the best option.  As for who to put on the cover, may I suggest Elin Nordegren?  She may not be a pro golfer, but I hear she swings a mean club when there’s a windshield in front of her.