I'm sorry and really want my car back! | Thebigtip

Today at a tearful press conference Stephanie Rice said "I owe it to those who I have offended to publicly say, I am sorry".  This came after a contract with Jaguar was terminated and a basting in the media.  This was orchestrated damage control and I understand that it's the PR machine that drives such things, but it doesn't mean that I have to like it.

Apologies don't mean what they used to.  You know when a sport star comes out and apologises there is usually a six figure reason for what comes out of their mouth.  It's scripted, predictable but my all time favourite has to be the Tiger Woods apology "My behaviour has caused considerable worry to my business partners".  I'm sorry - what?  In a live and scripted televised apology he refers to his business partners alongside the damage done to his marriage, family, friends and fans.

There is hardly a week where either the Pakistan Cricket Team or an English Premier League player isn't offering up a speech designed to protect their sponsors and appeal to the public  that they are human and make mistakes just like everyone else.  But most of us don't have a shiny new car to lose if we don't take responsibility for our own actions.    

We need to start asking why it takes the loss of a sponsorship deal before someone apologises.  When they are reading from their carefully prepared media release ask yourself if they are doing this for financial benefit or because they really mean it.  I'm not saying Stephanie Rice's apology isn't genuine, I'm just asking you to question the motives and make up your own mind the next time a scandal hits and you hear the words "I am sorry".