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Lance Armstrong quits fighting anti-doping charges

Lance Armstrong of the USA and Team Radio Shack competes during Stage Five of the 2011 Tour Down Under on January 22, 2011 in Adelaide, Australia.

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Cycling legend Lance Armstrong has been stripped of all seven of his Tour de France titles after ending his long-standing fight against doping allegations.

“There comes a point in every man’s life when he has to say, 'Enough is enough.' For me, that time is now," said the seven-time Tour de France winner in a statement released early Friday.

Armstrong still denies the charges, but there's still the matter of his Livestrong non-profit, not to mention his sponsorship deals with brands like Nike.

The latest move will be damaging to Armstrong's personal brand, said sports marketing expert Nigel Currie, of Brand Rapport. "There's no doubt that any sort of innuendos that exist are damaging and worrying from the point of view of sponsors, who don't like that sort of thing."

Nike and Oakley are sticking by Armstrong for now, but Currie says the longterm sponsors will take a long-term view and assess the situation. Then they might start leaving, which is what happened with Tiger Woods.

The Tour de France brand could be severely damaged as well. "They've struggled over the past few years just to have clear-cut winners," Currie said. "It's very damaging for the sport of cycling in general and for the tour, because Armstrong was such a key part of the history of the tour over the last 20 years."

Steve Madincea, sports marketing expert with Prism, says the hit to Armstrong's brand will be short-term, especially given the highly positive reputation of Livestrong.

 

About the author

Stacey Vanek Smith is a senior reporter for Marketplace, where she covers banking, consumer finance, housing and advertising.
dmulliga's picture
dmulliga - Aug 24, 2012

This whole affair is ridiculous. Any damage to the sport (or sportsman) that might have been done has already long ago been done; but one can not change history, and very few people care at this point who was right.

Ed348's picture
Ed348 - Aug 24, 2012

Our age refuses to accept reality. Doubt? Guilt w/o proof? 10 of his colleagues who won medals along with Lance had to give up their medals too when they confessed. They all agreed that they and Lance used drugs to win.

Wall Streeters who caused a global recession/depression. Zareed Zakaria. Joshua Lehrer. Whoever, whatever was done. We are a generation that does not take responsibility to play by the rules of integrity.

kosmac's picture
kosmac - Aug 24, 2012

Why is it that we revel so much in someone's accomplishments, yet are quick to pull out the pitchforks and torches when presented innuendos & hearsay. Could it be we are jealous of feats that make us feel less than?
Here's to you Lance, Barry, Roger and all who have been accused, because of what they have accomplished and found guilty by default rather than proof.

jeffhorwich's picture
jeffhorwich - Aug 24, 2012

Also from this morning's show:

Lance Armstrong's desire to bow out
Brings a big cost in medals, and clout.
But does he salvage the brand
Not by making a stand...
But eternally leaving that doubt?