Chicago Tribune
Unsurprisingly. the tumult surrounding Lance Armstrong and his Livestrong foundation came home to roost with it's involvement with the Sporting Kansas City franchise. Livestrong Sporting Park has been the name of the club's new stadium since it's opening a couple of years ago. Today in the wake Armstrong's interview with Oprah Winfrey, the club ended the stadium naming rights agreement with Livestrong.
The situation turned ugly this afternoon as both Livestrong and the club put out competing versions of the events surrounding the termination of the agreement. Livestrong issued a statement saying that Sporting Kansas City had not lived up to the financial terms of the agreement.
Sporting CEO Robb Heineman released a statement on the club's website refuting that saying in part:
"This morning we were disappointed to learn LIVESTRONG is utilizing aggressive tactics designed to force us into an unsatisfactory arrangement. We willingly admit we were not expecting the foundation to treat a partner in this manner. Even more surprising is that LIVESTRONG would take this action in the midst of a significant transitional phase for their organization."
Livestrong has removed Lance Armstrong's name it's foundation in an attempt to distance itself from him, but it doesn't seem to have worked. At least dumping the name will spare them more of the "Cheatstrong" or "Liestrong" Sporting Park. I really can't blame them.
For the moment Sporting KC's stadium will be known as "Sporting Park," as per the club's website. MLSSoccer.com reports suggest that the "Livestrong" light-up signing on the stadium has been turned off.
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