Tiger Woods vs. Elin Nordegren: Who Will Benefit Most From the Divorce

The old saying goes no one wins in a divorce; it's just degrees of losing.

And Tiger and Elin would probably agree with that sentiment.

But now that they both have to pick up the pieces and start new lives apart from each other, it will be interesting to see who actually benefits most from their new-found independence.

Will Elin disappear from the public, like she says she will?

Will Tiger move on and settle down again?

 

In the Court Of Public Opinion: Elin's Side

I don't think this is even close.

Elin is the wife who was cheated on, who had no idea that her husband was not only stepping out, but doing it hundreds of times.

And now she is the single mom, raising two innocent kids.

If she would sign off on it, she would definitely get both Lifetime and Oxygen Channels bidding for her Movie of the Week.

Don't be surprised if they loosely base one on her anyway.

In the Court Of Public Opinion: Tiger's Side

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Three types of people have been on Tiger's side of this sordid situation:

1) Men who have done the same things as him.

2) People who feel he is getting beat up in the media even though other athletes have done far worse (as in committed felonies).

3) His mom and relatives.

But eventually sports fans will come back over. Already when he has threatened to be out of his slump late this season, ratings have spiked a bit.

Winning is key for Tiger and his public persona.

In the Actual Courts: Elin's Side

We won't accurately ever know how much and what Elin got in the divorce and I am glad that's the case.

But if it is in the ballpark of $100 million she will be able to live a comfortable life.

And so will their kids.

In the Actual Courts: Tiger's Side

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Before all this stuff went down and when he was at his peak of popularity numbers like one billion dollars were being tossed around as to how much Tiger was worth.

Obviously those numbers were inflated, but he must have quite a bit more if a judge saw fit to give Elin a nine digit settlement.

He's lost some sponsors but winning will bring those back.

They both probably walked away feeling okay.

Which might be the best you can ask for under the circumstances.

Business Opportunities: Elin

Elin has the looks and the fame (whether she wants to accept it or not) to be a star.

She could do reality TV or she could go on the talk show circuit.

Being Mrs. Tiger Woods definitely has opened some doors for her.

She probably doesn't want to get back into modeling, so that's ruled out.

And we don't know much about her or what her other skills could be.

But opportunities are out there for her, if she wants them.

Business Opportunities: Tiger

One thing Tiger's handlers know how to do is make the man money.

All they are waiting for are the results on the course.

If Tiger can get back to swinging a big club, he can go back to cashing in.

Will it ever be like it was?

Probably not.

Child Rearing: Elin

Being that she is the mom and the parent with custody, she'll get the benefit of the doubt and sympathy from the media for being a single parent.

And since she has always been a private person I wouldn't be surprised if slowly she gets that privacy back.

My guess is the kids will eventually only be seen when they are with Tiger.

Child Rearing: Tiger

It is going to be really strange and probably a bit uncomfortable for the public if Tiger wins a tournament and has no one to celebrate with.

My gut tells me he will arrange something where his mom can bring the kids to see him.

Other than those awkward details the only other way we'll find out if Tiger sees the kids is if he or Elin tell us.

Dating: Elin

Again, Elin will have much more leeway in this department because most folks will say she can't do much worse than how she ended up.

And with the freedom of not needing her next man to support her, the only pressure she should feel will be the world's curiosity.

What kind of man will she date next?

Does she have a type?

That poor guy will have to know what he is getting into.

Because those first few weeks in the press are going to be crazy.

Dating: Tiger

Just like every aspect of his life, Tiger's dating life is going to be examined under microscopes worldwide.

People will want to know if he is going to go with another good girl, like Elin.

Or let it all hang out.

And this time it is going to be tougher to hide from the press.

They tasted blood.

My guess is he won't go back to any of the previous mistresses.

There were rumors he was dating this Bollywood star named, Lara Dutta.

If so, way to go, Tiger.

In the End...

Since money can't buy happiness both of the divorced parties are going to go through tough times.

But as they pledged in their joint statement, they both are going to put the kids first, which is how it should be.

Tiger's future will depend on his golf game.

Where as Elin told People magazine that the interview that she did with them was her first...and her last.

If you had to tip the scales in either party's favor post-divorce, you might go with Elin by a slight percentage, because if she wants to, she can disappear.

No such luck for Eldrick.