Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Nike Drops Lance Armstrong
When it rains, it pours. Early this morning, the same day that Lance Armstrong stepped down from the foundation which he founded, news broke from various sources that Nike, long-time endorser of Lance and his LIVESTRONG brand, were terminating their contract when Nike released the following statement:
Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer.
Sure arguments could be made for how Nike treated Lance versus other athletes that went through public scandal (Tiger, A-Rod, and Kobe immediately come to mind) - but in the grand scheme of things, this situation is just different. Everyone really wanted to believe in Lance - an under-dog American hero that could overcome Cancer and win the main prize in a sport riddled with PED's a record 7 times. But you know how that story goes - build them up, and break them down.
After the jump, check out a list of other sponsors who followed suit and also withdrew support for Lance Armstrong after Nike made their announcement.
• Nike
• Trek Bicycles
• Giro (bike helmets)
• FRS (energy products)
• Honey Stinger (energy products)
• 24 Hour Fitness
• Anheuser-Busch (Michelob Ultra)
• RadioShack
List via: Deadspin