Chumash Casino Resort, CarMax and Virgin America have pulled their sponsorships with the Los Angeles Clippers, ESPN.com reported Monday.
These corporate backlashes are in response to Clippers owner Donald Sterling’s alleged racist comments, which a Chumash Casino spokesperson said the company “cannot ignore.”
“We’ve always been proud supporters of the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the recent statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner have forced us to reconsider our relationship,” Vincent Armenta, tribal chairman of the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, said in a statement. “We remain supportive of the members of the team and we wish them the very best going forward.
According to ESPN.com, Chumash Casino had been the Clippers’ leading sponsor for the past four seasons. State Farm announced the decision to suspend its sponsorship deal with the NBA team early Monday, and the casino later followed suit.
Kia Motors America, Red Bull, Lumber Liquidators and Sprint also announced their sponsorships will be suspended until further notice.
Photo via Twitter/@VirginAmerica
