In the United States, being suspected of defrauding a Federal agency or of using its finances for illicit purposes is, not surprisingly, the kind of activity that can bring a world of pain your way.
The US Postal Service has Federal status and under a Freedom of Information Act request, broadcaster ESPN has obtained records which show that the organisation spent $31.9 million sponsoring Lance Armstrong and his USPS team between 2001 and 2004, when the rider was, perhaps, at the height of his powers.
Armstrong's spokesman, Mark Fabiani, said in a statement: “Over the years, many different sponsors have seen — and continue to see — the benefits of associating with Lance and his cycling teams.”
And that is, indeed, true, or at least it has been. Studies by a pair of marketing firms covering 2001-2004 which have been obtained by the Associated Press, claim that USPS received $103.6 million in domestic value from sponsoring the Armstrong-led teams during his historic run of Tour de France wins. That return was referenced by the Texan himself in a recent tweet spotted by BikeBiz, when he said: "[US Postal Service] got 103 million in return. 300%! We should all be so lucky to be victimized like that. Sign me up!"
However, last week, sportbusiness.com revealed a new study by Ace Metrix on celebrity endorsements ranked Armstrong’s Radio Shack advertisement as the second worst of 2010 in terms of effectiveness, behind a Tiger Woods ad for Nike.
Don't let facts get in the way of a populist vote strategy
Alexandru had suffered “55 separate injuries” and “the most significant injuries were to the head”....
Sounds like some councillors / MPs I could think of...
I'm a bit conflicted, on one hand I want to say, he's paid the price and move on, but has he drugs will have elevated his body to a higher level...
Like healthcare or formal education?
Like the cycle race named after a pastry?
Less batshit crazy, more seagull shit crazy.
presumably the administrators of whats left of Wiggle that Mikey didnt buy....
Very nice read, Personally i think the part of the bike your disliking mostly boils down to the tyers and wheels. Shove some alpinsts in there and...
Ipswich residents try to improve Humber Doucy Lane traffic, essentially they want to create an LTN....