The Screen Actors Guild is fining the superstar golfer $100,000 for shooting a nonunion car commercial during the union's strike against advertisers, according to trade reports.
Back in May, Woods issued a statement of support for his fellow union members saying he would not participate in any nonunion commercials. But just two months later, he followed his British Open win with a new stroke--shooting a nonunion ad in Canada.
The ad, which involved Tiger trying to get into the Olympics, subsequently aired ad nauseum in the United States during the Syndey Summer Games.
Woods said in late July that he had postponed many shoots since the strike had started and added, "I have relationships to uphold with my sponsors who have supported me over the years. This is in no way a stance against the union."
Apparently, the union didn't agree. Since the strike ended, SAG has formed a committee to hunt down and bring charges against all its members who crossed the picket lines, including such high-profile card-holders as Woods and Elizabeth Hurley.
Woods was subjected to a three-day trial board hearing this week, in which he participated via a conference call.
After finding Woods in violation, SAG officials decided to reduce the golfer's fine by half. If Woods should perform struck work at any time in the future, the $50,000 fine will be reinstated.
For a guy who makes about $80 million a year endorsing Nike, Woods is unlikely to have any problems paying the fine.
Of course, the penalty didn't sit too well with many members of SAG and the other acting union, the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists, who were hoping the unions would send a message by banishing Woods from the union. After all, they said, he broke the rules and he should pay the consequences.
Perhaps sensing he got off easy, Woods decided not to contest the decision, even though he was given 15 days to do so.
SAG had no comment on the decision.