Gatorade drops Tiger Woods drink

Dec 9 2009

Gatorade is discontinuing its Tiger Woods drink but says it made the decision before the golfer's car accident led to a media firestorm surrounding his personal life.

The decision to drop the drink, called Tiger Focus, was first reported by trade publication Beverage Digest in an issue dated November 25, two days before the incident at Woods' home in Florida.

The publication's editor, John Sicher, said he learned of the decision the week of November 9.

The brand - a unit of PepsiCo - said the decision did not have to do with recent events.

The drink debuted in March 2008. Beverage Digest estimates it represents less than 5% of Gatorade's volume.

Sales volume of Tiger Focus was down 34% this year through October.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal, citing data from Nielsen, reported that advertisers have not aired TV commercials featuring Woods since shortly after the scandal broke.