Michelle Wie today accepted a Sponsor’s exemption to the 2005 Sony Open, according to ESPN. Wie missed the cut at this year’s Sony Open by one stroke, promptings a barrage of opinion ranging from “good for her” to “this is ridiculous!” The PGA Tour has taken a lot of flak from people who contend that Wie took the spot of an otherwise more deserving (and older, and male) competitor.
One of the other most popular discussions is “will she make the cut?” Many respond to this with “who cares, isn’t the point of the tournament to win?” Yes, for the players, that’s typically the point (though certainly there are other goals).
Let’s take a minute to consider the other points of view.
The PGA Tour and the local charities have a very strong interest in raising money to “do good.” Michelle Wie undoubtedly increases fan turnout. This benefits local charities and the PGA Tour. And let’s not forget that when we say local charities, we’re talking about charities in Wie’s own hometown.
If you’re a tournament sponsor (i.e. Sony or any of the others that will advertise), the point of the tournament is to maximize your advertising potential to increase brand awareness and visibility. Wie certainly helps there – I may not have typed the word “Sony” today without her, but now I have. A few times.
If you’re the television network that gets to air the tournament (particularly rounds 1 and 2), then the point is to increase viewership as well. How many more people will tune in just to see if Wie makes the cut (or plays really badly)? How many of those would have tuned in to see if her “more deserving” replacement Bob Somebody would do well or make the cut?
It’s OK to have an opinion. It’s OK to knock Wie – after all, what’s she ever actually won? – but consider the other sides of the game too. There are two sides to this one, and I’m putting myself on the side of charity.
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