Disney, Woods Agree to 5-Year TV Golf Deal

Walt Disney Co. said Friday that it had reached a five-year deal with the world’s top-ranked golfer, Tiger Woods, to play in prime-time golf matches on Disney’s ABC and ESPN networks.

The deal, which had been expected for several weeks, is scaled down significantly from the wide-ranging endorsement Disney originally had sought.

Disney reportedly wanted Woods to serve as an endorser for Disney’s theme parks and other divisions. When news reports on the deal surfaced in April, some industry experts predicted it would redefine sports marketing.

But that was before the plan was thwarted by his main sponsor, Nike Inc., according to a Disney source close to the deal.

Woods’ deal with Nike is said to be valued at $20 million a year, and the company reportedly was concerned that the Disney arrangement would dilute the value of its relationship with the golfer.

Financial terms of the new deal were not disclosed.

Woods also will play in four Skins Games over the next five years. The event is an annual TV golf special that is a joint venture of ESPN and TransWorld International, a sports and entertainment management company.

Woods also will appear Monday with British Open champion David Duval and top female golfers Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb in a Palm Desert golf exhibition to be broadcast on ABC.

Although the contract is scaled down, Disney still expects Woods, 25, to give ABC and ESPN a significant ratings boost.

Woods, who won the Masters tournament this year, is the sports industry’s No. 1 product endorser for the third straight year.

Woods’ representatives could not be reached for comment. His agent, Mark Steinberg, previously described the arrangement as a “creative golf package.”