Discovery Channel Team to Disband

[RickF]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/aug07/aug10news3

http://www.thepaceline.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=9483

A new sponsor could not be found to replace Discovery Channel (which announced in February that they would not renew their sponsorship), so the team will disband at the end of the year.

[Zonda]

This breaks my heart. I can't believe no one stepped up to sponsor this team.

What about Lance recruiting some of his Hollywood buddies with deep pockets???:( I'll keep my fingers crossed a miracle happens.

Thanks Rick!

[Pugslyyy]

Unfortunately it just doesn't make marketing sense for a company to sponsor pro cycling at that level right now, IMHO.

You can spend $15million a year (easy) and be rewarded with a doping scandal that trashes your name. Too much risk of hurting your brand.

[RickF]

Apparently, Lance and Bill Stapleton decided to get out while they were on top, so they stopped trying to find a sponsor.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/aug07/aug11news