Following in the wake of today’s news that Nike has ended its long relationship with Lance Armstrong and the rider is stepping down as chairman of the Livestrong foundation, RadioShack has confirmed that it has decided to bring to an end its sponsorship of the Texan.
The US electronics retailer has been a backer of Armstrong’s since mid-2009, when it announced that it would begin sponsoring his cycling team the following season and also use him for television commercials and advertising campaigns.
The cycling team partnership is thought likely to run until the end of next year, but the arrangement with Armstrong himself – who retired from the sport at the start of last year and instead went into triathlon – has been under pressure of late due to USADA’s investigation into him and the US Postal Service team.
Last week RadioShack commented on USADA’s release of 1000 pages of evidence, saying that it would remain in place for now.
“We recognise the serious nature of the situation and we are continuing to monitor these events closely as the process unfolds,” said a spokesman. “RadioShack remains focused on our shared commitment with Livestrong and the fight against cancer.”
Today, the company confirmed that it had ended ties with the Texan. “I can say that RadioShack has no current obligations with Lance Armstrong,” a spokesman told the Wall Street Journal.
Meanwhile Oakley has reiterated that it will await the final outcome of the investigation before making a decision about whether or not it will continue a business relationship which dates back over sixteen years.
“As we have stated in the past, Oakley does not approve in any way the use of illegal substances for enhancing performance in sports. Our policy with our athletes is to support them until proven guilty by the highest governing body of sport or court of law,” a spokesperson told VeloNation a short while ago. “We are reviewing the extensive report from the USADA, as well as our relationship with Lance, and will await final decision-making by the International Cycling Union.”
The UCI last week received USADA’s reasoned decision and has 21 days to decide whether or not it will appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The World Anti-Doping Agency also has the right of appeal but is thought unlikely to do so.