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The saga of Tiger Woods and the lynching comment won't end, and now it involves nooses and a firing.
Golfweek magazine's latest cover, which features a jarring image of a noose against a hazy purple sky and a cover line that reads: "CAUGHT IN A NOOSE: Tilghman slips up, and Golf Channel can't wriggle free," has cost the editor of the magazine his job. The now former Golfweek vice president and editor, Dave Seanor, defended the cover as attempting to "draw attention to an issue we thought deserved some intelligent dialogue."
The original furor erupted when Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman, who subsequently was suspended, said on air that Tiger Woods was so good his competitors should "lynch him in a back alley."
Golfweek fired Seanor today after intense criticism surrounding the Jan. 19 cover. The discussions have surfaced on blogs, radio and news broadcasts.
"We apologize for creating this graphic cover that received extreme negative reaction from consumers, subscribers and advertisers across the country," William J. Kupper, president of Turnstile Publishing, said in a statement. "We were trying to convey the controversial issue with a strong and provocative graphic image. It is now obvious that the overall reaction to our cover deeply offended many people. For that, we are deeply apologetic."
According to The New York Times, the magazine, with a circulation of 160,000, has received more than 150 demands for cancellation, but no advertisers have pulled out.
"We knew that the image would grab attention, but I didn't anticipate the enormity of it," explained Seanor to ESPN on Thursday. "There's been a huge, negative reaction. I've gotten so many e-mails. It's a little overwhelming."
Images and sightings of nooses have increased dramatically throughout the
Earlier this week, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem also weighed in on the Golfweek cover, stating: "Clearly, what Kelly said was inappropriate and unfortunate and she obviously regrets her choice of words. But we consider Golfweek's imagery of a swinging noose on its cover to be outrageous and irresponsible. It smacks of tabloid journalism. It was a naked attempt to inflame and keep alive an incident that was heading to an appropriate conclusion."
Seanor condemned Finchem's statement, calling it "over the top."
On Friday, Sen. Barack Obama condemned the "noose" magazine cover, saying it showed "a lack of sensitivity to some of the profound historical and racial issues that are involved here and are obviously significant."
Jeff Babineau, who has been with Golfweek for nine years, will replace Seanor on an interim basis. In Friday's statement, Babineau said: "We know we have a job ahead of us to re-earn the trust and confidence of many loyal readers. Our staff is very passionate about the game. Our wish is that one regretful error does not erase more than 30 years of service we've dedicated to this industry."