Phil Knight, Nike Chairman: Tiger Woods' Affair Scandal Will Be 'Minor Blip'

By Deena on

Tiger+Woods in 2009 Australian Masters - Day 2

Tiger Woods of the USA prepares to play an approach shot on the 6th hole during round two of the 2009 Australian Masters at Kingston Heath Golf Club on November 13, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Getty Images)more pics »Phil Knight, Nike's co-founder and chairman, doesn't seem too worried about the whole affair deal, while some of the athlete's other sponsors are dropping like flies. Knight referred to the incident as a "minor blip" and said the media is overplaying the scandal.

Phil Knight (Getty)
"There’s always a risk." Knight said (via Us magazine). "One of the things we always try to do when we have a big endorsement is check out the character and the pattern of the individual. But you’re not going to get it right all the time, and if you’re going to be in the business you have to recognize that."

Nike might be standing by the golfer through the storm, but according to public polls, people's opinion of him isn't staying as positive. According to a poll from ABC News/Washington Post, 43 percent of respondents said they have an unfavorable view of him, 26 percent "strongly" so.

The whole Tiger affair scandal started when he got into a one-car crash outside his Florida mansion around 2am November 27. Rumors spread that the accident was a result of the golf pro's wife coming after his SUV with a golf club after she found out about his infidelity, and things have rapidly spiraled downward since then.

We almost need to start counting the alleged mistresses on our toes now, as Rachel Uchitel, Jaimee Grubbs, Kalika Moquin, Jamie Jungers, Mindy Lawton, Cori Rist, and Holly Sampson, Joslyn James, Loredana Jolie, and Julie Postle. have all been romantically linked to the guy over the last few weeks. And the list just keeps growing. Check out our timeline of Tiger's 'transgressions' here.

See more pictures of Tiger Woods here (click any picture):