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2014 Masters: Tiger Woods’ Absence Allows New Faces to Take Augusta Spotlight
Published: April 12, 2014
If the job of a major tournament is to attract casual eyeballs and goose ratings—and, don't get it twisted; that's exactly how networks view majors—the 2014 Masters has been an unmitigated failure. ESPN's opening-round ratings were down 28 percent versus 2013, or roughly 800,000 viewers. I suspect as the full tournament averages come in from CBS, which broadcasts the weekend rounds at Augusta, that we'll see another precipitous drop.
Woods is the biggest culprit—especially for those first-round numbers. Even at age 38 and six years removed from his last major, Woods is golf's answer to Floyd Mayweather. Put him in any golf tournament or Mayweather in the ring against any schlub, and droves of people will tune in. Throw either man into a major tournament or truly high-profile bout (think Canelo Alvarez), and network executives will make it rain with advertising dollars or pay-per-view buys.
Take either out of the equation and you're quickly having panel discussions about the financial wherewithal of the sport's future.
Now take Woods, Mickelson, McIlroy, et al. out of contention, you have a borderline catastrophe. Replace those guys with a leaderboard that's most well-known name is Bubba Watson and prominently features Jonas Blixt (is that the dude from Veep?) and you have CBS execs hunkering into their underground bunkers waiting for the world to end.
This isn't to disparage the product on the course. Quite the opposite, in fact. Because if there ever were a Masters to have a starless Sunday and atone for it with a thrilling finish—one that will get those coveted casual eyeballs, no matter Tiger or Phil's lack of involve...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Golf
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