Major Companies Ditch Clippers Over Donald Sterling Controversy, Gatorade & Taco Bell Next?

Less than 48 hours after the Donald Sterling alleged audio recording turned into a global topic, new reports claim multiple companies have pulled back their support from his Los Angeles Clippers.

 

According to reports, sponsors CarMax and State Farm have taken action in light of the owner’s alleged remarks.

CarMax pulled its sponsorship of the team and Steve Stoute, CEO of Translation, a marketing firm connected to State Farm, urged the insurance company and others to suspend sponsorship of the team because of comments that have stirred an outrage over the weekend. State Farm, of course, is the company that pays Clippers guard Chris Paul, who is also president of the National Basketball Players Association, for those wonderful Chris Paul/Cliff Paul commercials. “Sponsoring the athletes is one thing, but not the team.” CarMax ended its nine-year relationship, saying in a statement that it “finds the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner completely unacceptable.” (Washington Post)

Almost immediately following the reports, updates suggested the relationship could be resumed after the Sterling controversy is addressed.

UPDATE No. 2: State Farm has said that they are suspending their relationship with the Clippers, but will leave the door open. “We are monitoring the situation and we’ll continually assess our options. We have a great relationship with Chris Paul and will continue supporting the Born to Assist advertising campaign involving Chris and now other NBA players,” a State Farm rep told TMZ. (Fansided)

ESPN reporter Darren Rovell revealed a couple other sponsors have not taken any immediate action following the publicized drama.

“NBA sponsors Gatorade and Taco Bell say they have no immediate comment on the Sterling controversy.,” Rovell tweeted April 28. (Darren Rovell’s Twitter)

Over the weekend, West Coast rapper Game announced how he would join the protest against Sterling.

“I have now started the #ESC which is short for #EMPTYSEATCAMPAIN asking ALL Los Angeles residents to boycott the next Clippers game by not attending which will prove that we are more of a MAJORITY than the previously stated “minority” label given to us by Mr. Sterling. Although I feel for friends of mine that play for the Clippers franchise such as @CP3 whose own team owner considers a minority…… I now, along with good friend & designer @ceoselfmade ask everyone who reads this WORLDWIDE to RE-POST this picture & hashtag: #BoycottClippers #ESC #EmptySeatCampaign #Support #OGMagicJohnson #StopRacism #OneWorld #WeAreAMajorityFollowing” (Game’s Instagram)
 

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