NBA News: List of Sponsors Dropping Clippers Over Owner’s Racist Comments

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More bad news for Clippers owner Donald Sterling following racist comments he made on tape and others surfacing from his past: Clippers sponsors are bowing out.

The National Basketball Association is expected to make an announcement today concerning an investigation into Sterling. (READ: Racist Talk From Clippers Owner Donald Sterling Shocks NBA)

Racist comments in a recording that was published by entertainment site TMZ put the 80-year-old real estate tycoon in the national spotlight. Sterling’s girlfriend allegedly made the tape, in which the NBA owner rants about his girlfriend associating with African Americans and “bringing them” to LA Clippers games.

Other sites have surfaced comments he made in the past, disparaging African Americans.

Now, 11 sponsors for the Clippers are bowing out.

Some notables are:

State Farm

The insurance company told ESPN that its dealings would be put “on hold.”

“State Farm strongly supports and respects diversity and inclusion in its workforce and customers,” a company statement said.

Virgin America

“While we continue to support the fans and the players, Virgin America has made the decision to end its sponsorship of the LA Clippers,” a representative told TMZ.

CarMax (KMX)

The auto dealer dropped its sponsorship and blamed it directly on Sterling. “These views directly conflict with CarMax’s culture of respect for all individuals,” the company said in a statement to ESPN.

The rest of the other sponsors are:

Red Bull

Sprint (S)

Amtrak

Kia

AquaHydrate

LoanMart

Yokohama Tire Corporation

Chumash Casino Resort


Article printed from InvestorPlace Media, https://investorplace.com/2014/04/nba-news-list-sponsors-dropping-clippers-owners-racist-comments/.

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