09.02
Discovery Channel is dropping its title sponsorship of its professional cycling team after the 2007 season.
Discovery became a lower-level sponsor of the team in 2004 and assumed the title sponsorship for Armstrong's final win in 2005. Armstrong retired after that race but remains a co-owner of the team through Tailwind Sports, an Austin-based company run by his long-time agent and attorney
Manager Bill Stapleton told USA TODAY Friday that Discovery's decision not to renew for a fourth year is connected to Monday's firing of Discovery Network's president Billy Campbell by new Discovery Communications president and CEO David Zaslav. Campbell was the major force behind the company's decision to sponsor the team in 2004 and had pushed the team to sign Italian star and Tour favorite Ivan Basso this year.
"This would not have happened if Billy Campbell was still there," Stapleton said. "This is about their change in management."
Stapleton said the company is already evaluating potential replacements for Discovery and could sign another company before the 2007 season is over


From cycling4all.com and USAtoday

Anyone looking to buy a pro cycling team?

all prospective title sponsors must pass Stapleton's rigorous "look them in the eye" test.

I know I'm supposed to care but since last year, professional cycling really turns me off...

I don't blame Discovery a bit...

I also can't blame Discovery for not renewing. Professional cycling no longer has a good image.

yeah but its still cycling... our sport.

This is notable. It shows that the US team sponsors not only don't have the patience to support a team, but they may also believe that the "Lance effect" has worn off. I don't want to see pro cycling lose what small of a US audience it has, but I'm afraid when Lance quit most of the sponsor dollars begin to draw back. Sure, there are still thousands like us that actually pay attention to the sport, but it's going to have an even harder time reaching popularity levels than pro soccer, though David B's arrival in LA may give a little flicker of a flame to it.

Sadly, I too lost a good bit of interest in the sport with the doping scandals of this past spring and summer.

I know I'm supposed to care but since last year, professional cycling really turns me off...

I don't blame Discovery a bit...


agree... besides, most sponsors only last a few years anyway, esp as the title sponsor

This is notable. It shows that the US team sponsors not only don't have the patience to support a team, but they may also believe that the "Lance effect" has worn off. I don't want to see pro cycling lose what small of a US audience it has, but I'm afraid when Lance quit most of the sponsor dollars begin to draw back. Sure, there are still thousands like us that actually pay attention to the sport, but it's going to have an even harder time reaching popularity levels than pro soccer, though David B's arrival in LA may give a little flicker of a flame to it.

Sadly, I too lost a good bit of interest in the sport with the doping scandals of this past spring and summer.

very good point... and floyd's little debacle... guilty or not, is an a HUGE setback. It's sad for sure. I can only hope that the tours of California and Georgia and the smaller events keep fans and sponsors interested enough that those of us who still enjoy watching bicycle racing (I've turned my focus to the continental teams). Or are we just going to have to be happy with watching the Tues night twilight crits?

Now... what do I do with the "Discovery Team" bikes that I still have to sell?

Perhaps BALCO can take over as the main sponsor

that's too bad.

This is notable. It shows that the US team sponsors not only don't have the patience to support a team, but they may also believe that the "Lance effect" has worn off. I don't want to see pro cycling lose what small of a US audience it has, but I'm afraid when Lance quit most of the sponsor dollars begin to draw back. Sure, there are still thousands like us that actually pay attention to the sport, but it's going to have an even harder time reaching popularity levels than pro soccer, though David B's arrival in LA may give a little flicker of a flame to it.

Sadly, I too lost a good bit of interest in the sport with the doping scandals of this past spring and summer.


perhaps, but the co got a new CEO, so who knows what he is really thinking... new CEO often means new direction, common in the business world. it's not like they truly "pulled the plug", and ceased all support immediately. they just didn't renew their support for next year.

I'd like to see Target step up... then we can all be riding around with big red bullseyes on our backs. :wink5:

Perhaps BALCO can take over as the main sponsor
LMAO!:thumbsup:

Perhaps BALCO can take over as the main sponsor

Or AMGEN???

But definitely not TrimSpa.

TOO SOON! TOO SOON!

what sucks, is they anounced this before the season even starts. I mean, talk about some pressure. I guess it's good to know way ahead, but I think it will be a huge distraction for the riders and staff...

not a shock.

what sucks, is they anounced this before the season even starts. I mean, talk about some pressure. I guess it's good to know way ahead, but I think it will be a huge distraction for the riders and staff...

US Postal announced they were discontinuing the day after the Tour de Georgia ended. They shouldn't have too much trouble finding a sponsor. The Disco or "whatever they will be called" crew are pretty good at this business thing.

We'll have another team kit to pick apart next year. Now where can I find one of those Unibet "?" jerseys???

I think there is a mass departure from sponsorship because of all the scandals. It has hurt the financial viability of professional cycling tremendously, especially after an apparent lack of success in fixing the problem the last few years. Many big sponsors left years ago after the "Tour of Shame" in 98, and now I feel even the mid level sponsors are having second thoughts. Too bad, I really loved all the TV coverage here in the US (Go OLN!) but I fear those days are numbered too.

Don't read too much into this. Discovery's decision is collateral damage from a big management shake-up:

From velonews: "The decision not to renew the team's contract at the end of a three-year contract comes only days after the firing of company CEO Billy Campbell, a strong advocate of the team sponsorship, on Monday of this week....The firing was part of a major management shake-up at Discovery, which also saw David Abraham, head of the TLC channel; Maureen Smith, head of Animal Planet; Dawn McCall, head of the international operations; and Pandit Wright, head of human resources, terminated this week."

http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/11627.0.html

See what happens when they no longer show American Choppers on the station....everything goes to hell....;)

Or AMGEN???

Amgen already has a cycling team...

http://www.velogen.org/

Maybe TrimSpa will pickup the sponsorship. I hear they are looking for a spokesperson:)

I think there is a mass departure from sponsorship because of all the scandals. It has hurt the financial viability of professional cycling tremendously, especially after an apparent lack of success in fixing the problem the last few years. Many big sponsors left years ago after the "Tour of Shame" in 98, and now I feel even the mid level sponsors are having second thoughts. Too bad, I really loved all the TV coverage here in the US (Go OLN!) but I fear those days are numbered too.
Has the number of teams changing sponsors really changed that much compared to 15 or 25 years ago? It's not uncommon to be a sponsor for some years and then change to a new field for increased exposure.

DAMN!!! What am I gonna do with the Discovery Channel logo on my Project One bike????? :eek: :mad2: :mad2:

Excuse for a new bike?? nahhhhhhhh...

Well, looks like I'll have to get yet another new team kit next season.

Hey even soccer teams change sponsorship now and then. Manchester United are now sponsored by AIG (formerly by Sharp years back and then Vodafone). Arsenal used to be sponsored by Dreamcast, O2 and are now sponsored by Emirates.

Main difference? Manchester United, Arsenal, Real Madrid and all, are STILL Manchester United football club, Arsenal Football club but pro cycling teams change names when their sponsors change. That kinda sucks in a way for those who have identified the teams we support in cycling but oh well.

Guess my new fave team next year will be the 'formerly US Postal and former Discover Channel Pro Cycling team who are still sponsored by Trek'

Now where can I find one of those Unibet "?" jerseys???

Seriously, I think I need one.