Kansas City donates naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

looknohands · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

edwardgr said: ↑

So is Lance still being investigated? If so what happens if he is found guilty. This seems like an odd move given the recent controversy surrounding the face of livestrong.
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My thoughts exactly. Apparently the doping people have a major hard-on for nailing him, and if they do...

Sandon Mibut · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

Felixx219 said: ↑

You think Adidas is going to allow such a thing? No way in hell.

Rumor has been that American Century, a KC company and handler of Livestrong's money could possibly be it.
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I'm surprised adidas has gone along with this at all.

Nike pushed the Livestrong thing big-time and Lance is one of their biggest names, even after retiring and then re-retiring.

I know it's all for a good cause, but it's not neccearily good for adidas' causes and they've given MLS a lot of money to look out for their causes.

Easton FC · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

Sandon Mibut said: ↑

I'm surprised adidas has gone along with this at all.

Nike pushed the Livestrong thing big-time and Lance is one of their biggest names, even after retiring and then re-retiring.

I know it's all for a good cause, but it's not neccearily good for adidas' causes and they've given MLS a lot of money to look out for their causes.
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Adidas really has nothing to say about it, honestly. This was a naming rights deal for a building which will undoubtedly hold other events besides MLS matches. Sporting KC can't put it on their kits, but SC can name their stadium for whoever they want.

Stan Collins · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

Sandon Mibut said: ↑

I'm surprised adidas has gone along with this at all.

Nike pushed the Livestrong thing big-time and Lance is one of their biggest names, even after retiring and then re-retiring.

I know it's all for a good cause, but it's not neccearily good for adidas' causes and they've given MLS a lot of money to look out for their causes.
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I'm not. Livestrong is associated with Nike. But Toyota actually is the direct competitor of a league sponsor (VW). For that matter, so is Red Bull (PepsiCo). So is Alaska Airlines (AA). Arguably, BMO (Chase) is too.

PhillyMLS · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

Stan Collins said: ↑

But Toyota actually is the direct competitor of a league sponsor (VW).
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Wasn't Honda still a shirt sponsor for Chicago when Toyota was named stadium sponsor?

SombraAla · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

Stan Collins said: ↑

I'm not. Livestrong is associated with Nike. But Toyota actually is the direct competitor of a league sponsor (VW). For that matter, so is Red Bull (PepsiCo). So is Alaska Airlines (AA). Arguably, BMO (Chase) is too.
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Hey now, stop putting thought and research into your posts. I thought this place was only for wild, baseless speculation.

Seriously, it's people like you that give this place a bad name...

Easton FC · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

SombraAla said: ↑

Hey now, stop putting thought and research into your posts. I thought this place was only for wild, baseless speculation.

Seriously, it's people like you that give this place a bad name...

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Lol... repped.

NebraskaAddick · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

The 92nd Fish said: ↑

It's actually a pretty shrewd move. Livestrong is a pretty well known organisation so this will get out the word about the new stadium and Sporting Kansas City to many people who may never heard of them.
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Plus they might attract a lot of the biker crowd!

....is that good or bad?

MtMike · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

PhillyMLS said: ↑

Wasn't Honda still a shirt sponsor for Chicago when Toyota was named stadium sponsor?
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yeah, but that's not the greatest example.

AndyMead · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

YilmazOrhan said: ↑

No, but Livestrong is most definitely a Nike brand.
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It's definitely not a Nike "brand". Lance Armstrong is sponsored by Nike, but Livestrong is a seperate entity.

My company sells Giro branded Livestrong bicycle helmets. No sign of Nike whatsoever. We even sold them when Nike was a strategic partner of Trek bikes - who supply Lances bikes and offer their own helmet lines.

The Nike/adidas thing isn't in play here from what I know.

AndyMead · Mar 8, 2011

Felixx219 said: ↑

Can't do that. Adidas would not allow a Nike brand on their jerseys.
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I see it more as Nike being a Livestrong licensee than Livestrong being a Nike brand.

Susaeta · Mar 8, 2011

Nike helped get Livestrong off the ground and designed the Livestrong Bracelet. That bracelet and Nike's sponsorship of Lance is why the foundation and Nike are so closely perceived by the public. Nike also sells a Livestrong line of clothing, with proceeds going to the foundation. They are, however, separate entities.

Felixx219 · Mar 8, 2011

AndyMead said: ↑

I see it more as Nike being a Livestrong licensee than Livestrong being a Nike brand.
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Maybe but I dont think it matters when it comes to being a jersey sponsor. Livestrong is closely affiliated with Nike and Nike sells a shit ton of Livestrong apparel that has Nike's logo all over it. There is no way Adidas would allow Livestrong to be on their jersey.

From what I found, Nike considers Livestrong a co-brand which may very well be a lincesee as you refer to it. I think that would be enough for it to be a violation of the agreement with Adidas.

With that said, I would love to see it. But, I am betting the team will look for a revenue generating sponsor. But, it would be awesome if they decided to work with another charity for the jersey sponsor. I think that would really say something about OnGoal/Sporting Club

NorthbankHighbury · Mar 8, 2011

Felixx219 said: ↑

Maybe but I dont think it matters when it comes to being a jersey sponsor. Livestrong is closely affiliated with Nike and Nike sells a shit ton of Livestrong apparel that has Nike's logo all over it. There is no way Adidas would allow Livestrong to be on their jersey.

From what I found, Nike considers Livestrong a co-brand which may very well be a lincesee as you refer to it. I think that would be enough for it to be a violation of the agreement with Adidas.

With that said, I would love to see it. But, I am betting the team will look for a revenue generating sponsor. But, it would be awesome if they decided to work with another charity for the jersey sponsor. I think that would really say something about OnGoal/Sporting Club
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Yeah it would say they had shit for brains. Allowing Livestrong to skim a little off the surface of the revenue stream and reap the benefit of association is shrewd, smart, noble ... two charities and your mixing the message as well as taking a healthy loss in all likelyhood. At some point OnGoal will be looking to make a buck, and if Sony had queued up $3m a year for the stadium this probably would never have happened.

dynamofan · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

tab5g said: ↑

afaik, you (or your corporation) don't have to be "making money" to get a tax benefit for donating to a 501(c)(3).
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Not true. The only benefit of a charitable donation is to offset income, so if a company (or individual) doesn't have any net income then there is no tax benefit. The donations can be carried over from one year to another for a certain period of time, but ultimately, to get any tax benefit, they have to be used to reduce the income that tax is paid on. For companies that are not net profitable ("making money"), then there is no real tax benefit.

Gallade · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

chapka said: ↑

4) Journalists and fans are also more likely to switch usage from Livestrong to Consolidated Carcinogens than they are to switch from a non-corporate to a corporate name--the new Meadowlands will probably stay the Meadowlands to a lot of people now no matter which bank and/or beer company eventually buys its naming rights. Hell, I still call the CoreStates/First Union/Wachovia/Wells Fargo Center "Spectrum II" and everyone knows what I mean.
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Vouch. It's still the Skydome for me and anyone I talk to, despite Rogers broadcasting the games themselves and therefore ensuring proper use of Rogers Centre naming.

kudos on a cool move, KC. it'll be a bit easier for me to swallow when you make the playoffs this year over us.

BirdsonFire · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

I'm still calling the stadium The Jock Strap.

The Cauldron is now the Athletic Supporters.

JasonMa · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

dynamofan said: ↑

Not true. The only benefit of a charitable donation is to offset income, so if a company (or individual) doesn't have any net income then there is no tax benefit. The donations can be carried over from one year to another for a certain period of time, but ultimately, to get any tax benefit, they have to be used to reduce the income that tax is paid on. For companies that are not net profitable ("making money"), then there is no real tax benefit.
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Of course if they set it up like Colorado (Where the team, stadium, field complex, TV, and merchandising are all separate companies under the KSE banner) the stadium could make money and make the donation wile the team still loses money.

RapidStorm · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

BirdsonFire said: ↑

I'm still calling the stadium The Jock Strap.

The Cauldron is now the Athletic Supporters.
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I'm sure your fellow 7th graders will giggle.

vponce75 · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

RapidStorm said: ↑

I'm sure your fellow 7th graders will giggle.
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Not going to lie, I chuckled.

greatscott · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

edwardgr said: ↑

So is Lance still being investigated? If so what happens if he is found guilty. This seems like an odd move given the recent controversy surrounding the face of livestrong.
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Lance has been undergoing investigation for over a decade and will continue to be put under investigation because he is a boss, and haters gon' hate.

By now, enough people support him and his organization to where he could be caught smoking heroine and i'd still rock a yellow wristband.

sitruc · Mar 8, 2011

tab5g said: ↑

thanks.

and on a completely unrelated topic --

WiFi access for all at the stadium?
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Is this uncommon for new stadiums. I honestly don't know. Wi-fi is the last thing I think about when I'm at events. I know RFK has free wi-fi if the wind is right and you can get the press box's open connection...

pdid10 · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

I've heard the noose is getting tighter around Lance with more revelations. But thats another topic.

NorthbankHighbury · Mar 8, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

pdid10 said: ↑

I've heard the noose is getting tighter around Lance with more revelations. But thats another topic.
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I was actually at the press conference today and joked about asking about what would happen if Lance was found out or convicted. The guy standing next to me (who is also a friend) pretty well told me to stand nowhere near him if I did. I thought maybe it was my cynical nature but I think its a valid question ....... for down the road.

Edit -- legit enough for them to be asked by the KC Star ...

http://www.kansascity.com/2011/03/08/2709585/sporting-kcs-stadium-name-is-nearly.html#ixzz1G4pPte00

dredgfan · Mar 9, 2011

Re: Kansas City sells naming rights to Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation

Lance is a fraud.

Hope this donation doesn't go to his legal defense.