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CHICAGO (Reuters) - Trading card and memorabilia company Upper Deck said on Tuesday that it would not end its sponsor deals with Tiger Woods, who has admitted to marital infidelity and has had other sponsors back away from him as a result.
The company said it stood by the world's No. 1 golfer, who said on Friday that he was taking an "indefinite break" from pro golf.
"Upper Deck will maintain its exclusive agreement with Tiger in both our sports cards and memorabilia categories, and we look forward to his eventual return to the PGA Tour," Upper Deck Chief Executive Richard McWilliam said in a statement. "Tiger and his family have our full support."
Woods has served as an exclusive spokesman and autograph signer for Upper Deck since 2001.
Woods, 33, last week admitted to "infidelity" in his marriage to his Swedish wife Elin Nordegren as allegations of multiple extramarital affairs rocked his life and career.
Upper Deck is not the only company to stand by Woods as Nike Inc and Berkshire Hathaway's NetJets unit also recently have said they would not end their deals.
The star golfer was estimated to earn about $100 million a year in endorsement deals before his unwelcome troubles.
However, Woods' popularity has plummeted in the short space of two weeks as a parade of up to 13 women -- from cocktail waitresses to porn stars -- came forward to say they had had flings with the married father of two. The allegations emerged after Woods was involved in a minor November 27 car accident at his Florida home.
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