Like rats jumping from a racist ship, several big companies are suspending or terminating sponsorship of Donald Sterling's L.A. Clippers. From ThinkProgress.org:
Insurance company State Farm is suspending its sponsorship with the Los Angeles Clippers after racist comments allegedly made by team owner Donald Sterling surfaced over the weekend, the chief executive of the marketing company that counts State Farm as one of its clients announced on ESPN Radio’s “The Herd” Monday morning...
...
Carmax has also officially announced an end to its nine-year partnership with the Clippers. “CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers’ owner completely unacceptable,” the company told TMZ. “These views directly conflict with CarMax’s culture of respect for all individuals. While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for 9 years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship.”
...
Virgin America: We have made the decision to end our sponsorship of the L.A. Clippers
1:04 PM - 28 Apr 2014
...
KIA: We are suspending our advertising and sponsorship activations with the Clippers
1:30 PM - 28 Apr 2014
http://thinkprogress.org/...
AquaHydrate (?) is also suspending sponsorship.
Carmax and Virgin America deserve special recognition for terminating their corporate relationship, not merely suspending it. Other Clippers sponsors that have not yet made a decision are Amtrak, Red Bull, Yokohama Tires, Corona and LoanMart. (see updates below)
Update 1:
From annieli in the comments:
As is Cheap as Dirt Fertilizer & Aero HVAC Systems.
Update 2:
A tweet from @RyanRuggiero says Mercedes Benz is also terminating:
Mercedes-Benz has moved to cease its sponsorship of the Clippers effective immediately
And in the comments,
Kristina40 heard on ESPN that Red Bull is also suspending sponsorship.
Update 3:
Down goes Corona! From ANY THING TOO ADD in the comments:
UPDATE: Corona has now suspended its ties with the Clippers
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
Update 4:
Now Hyundai. A tweet from @RolandSMartin:
BREAKING NEWS: Hyundai has withdrawn their support of the LA Clippers because of the comments made by #DonaldSterling