The Los Angeles Clippers are now sponsor-less following the racist controversy ignited by Donald Sterling. The team has lost all of its corporate sponsors exactly one day after news broke about Sterling's discriminating remarks.
According to CBS News, more than a dozen of companies immediately cut off their ties with the National Basketball Association team and suspended their activities following Sterling's racist controversy.
The NBA team owner Donald Sterling's controversial phone conversation was recorded and landed the public's eye through TMZ and other sites over the weekend.
In the taped conversation, Donald Sterling could be heard telling his girlfriend not to bring black people to his team's games. He could also be heard telling the other not to post pictures with black people on Instagram.
Corona, the beer company, which was the last major sponsor to hold on to the team, officially said Monday afternoon that it is suspending its agreement with the team until the NBA realizes the full investigation on what really happened.
"Like everyone else, Corona is appalled by the comments allegedly made by the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers," Corona parent Constellation Brands said in a statement. "These comments run counter to the type of brand Corona aspires to be."
In the heat of the controversy, many couldn't help but comment on Sterling's racist views and remarks.
Basketball legend Michael Jordan, who owns the Charlote Bobcats, said he was "completely outraged" upon hearing the news. "I'm completely disgusted that a fellow team owner could hold such sickening and offensive views."
Aside from Jordan, the coach of the Golden State Warriors also commented that fans should just boycott game five of the NBA playoff series scheduled this Tuesday. R&B singer Tank also showed his disgust on the issue by cancelling his appearance on the said game to sing the national anthem. Magic Johnson, LeBron James and even President Barack Obama also weighed in on the controversial issue.
In a zap, the Los Angeles Clippers lost millions of dollars in sponsorship money.
According to News Sports, here's a list of the major sponsors, who bailed on the Clippers team:
1. AQUAhydrate - the company is suspending its sponsorship to the team.
2. Carmax - The used-car chain is reportedly ending its nine-year partnership with the Los Angeles Clippers. The Register claims the latest contract of Carmax with the team was worth $1.05 million.
3. Corona - the company is suspending its sponsorship to the team.
4. Chumash Casino and Resorts - the company withdrew its sponsorship, which amounts to $2 million per year. Chumash Casino and Resorts is one of the biggest sponsors of the Los Angeles Clippers
5. Kia Motors America - the company has suspended its advertising and sponsorship to the team.
6. LoanMart - the company is suspending its sponsorship to the team.
7. Lumber Liquidators - the company is suspending its sponsorship to the team.
8. Mercedes-Benz - dealerships are reportedly ending their sponsorship to the team.
9. Sprint - the company is suspending its sponsorship
10. State Farm - the company said that it is "taking a pause" in its relationship with the team. The insurer spent $1.2 million this year on promotions alone.
11. Virgin America - the company has ended its sponsorship to the team, amounting to $350,000.
12. Yokohama Tire - the company suspended its sponsorship.
According to experts, the main reason why companies have bowed out from their sponsorship, advertising, and partnership with the Los Angeles Clippers is due to the fact that no marketer wants to get dragged down by a person generating so much disgust and anger from the public, or the consumers in general.
The investigation on the racist controversy involving the Clippers is still on-going. The league is promising a press conference Tuesday.
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