Forget Tiger; The Star Of The Masters Will Be 3D TV

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to visit the SNY studios on 51st street and check out Comcast’s test footage of the Masters in 3D.

As a 3D TV skeptic, I did not expect to be impressed — or even entertained.  But I was captivated.  And after seeing a side-by-side comparison of the Tournament in HD and 3D, I was sold.

Chad Campbell at the 2009 Masters. Details such as sand flying out of a sand trap come to life on 3D TVs. (Image via TheePochTimes)

After spending an hour and a half watching professional golfers play the Augusta course, I think 3D TV and sports could actually take off.

I wrote a post about it at Business Insider, but here are the highlights of my argument:

• If you are in the market for a new TV in the next few years, you will buy a 3D TV.  This is because “3D TVs” aren’t exclusively 3D — manufacturers are making HD TVs with 3D capability, Comcast Fellow and engineer Mike Francisco told us. Switching from HD to 3D will be as simple as pushing a button, although they will be much more expensive for now.
• While some “active” glasses are battery-powered and as much as $150 a pop, many sets are opting for “passive” technology.  The glasses for these TVs could cost as little as one dollar each, and will be available starting this summer. Plus, they work just as well — if not better.
• 3D TV isn’t like the movies. Things don’t fly out at you and make you feel sick. The Masters in 3D has all of the subtlety of the Masters in HD, but adds depth, angles, and the contours of the course.
• 3D glasses won’t be necessary. 3D technology, sans glasses, is currently in the works, and should be ready for the consumer market within the next five to 10 years.

Go over to Business Insider to read more about the Masters in 3D, and the future of 3D television.

Tiger Woods first Athlete to Earn $1 Billion

Woods became the first athlete to earn $1 billion after receiving a $10 million bonus for winning the 2009 FedEx Cup this weekend.

According to Forbes.com, the golf star has earned his record-breaking billion not only in prize money, but also in endorsements, appearance fees, and the creation of three courses under his golf course design business, Tiger Woods Design.  These courses, located in North Carolina, Dubai, and Mexico, are a source of $10 million each.

Though substantial, the income from his design pales in comparison to that of Woods’ endorsements.  Since stepping onto the golf scene more than 13 years ago, he has entered into more than a dozen sponsorship deals that have brought in tens of millions of dollars for both the athlete and his corporate partners.

Woods receives $30 million a year from Nike for being the face of their golf brand, which now earns more than $80 million annually.  The golf superstar is also in agreements with AT&T, Gatorade, EA Games, and Gillete -  to name a few.

Woods Leads Endorsement Pack (http://tinyurl.com/yhryq4k)

Since 2002 Woods has been the highest paid athlete in the world, passing six-figure income earners like retired basketball player Michael Jordan and German Formula One racer Michael Schumacher.  

The global star power and fandom of these two athletes shows the magnitude of Woods and his commercial prowess. 

“The most stunning part is that Woods is 33 years old – he might have 15 years of competitive golf left in him, and 30-plus years of designing courses.  This is only the first billion for Woods,” said Kurt Badenhausen in Sports’ First Billion-Dollar Man.