Nike cuts ties to Livestrong – CBC

Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong charity loses Nike backing – The Telegraph

Nike, Inc., world’s largest sportswear manufacturer, stops its support for Livestrong Foundation sports clothing, shoes and wristbands after 9 years of partnership.

Livestrong Foundation is a non-profit organization offering support for people affected by cancer founded by a professional cyclist Lance Armstrong.

After 2012 Lance Armstong doping case, Nike finally cut ties to Livestrong in May 2013. It stopped supporting Lance as a sportsman in October 2012. Lance Armstrong also left Livestrong later last autumn. However, Nike will still support Livestrong Foundation by funding it directly.

It is an interesting case of conflict between 2 ethical aspects. On one hand, supporting a charity company would be an appreciated by customers. On the other hand, being associated with a cheating sportsman does not go well with sportswear company’s ethics.

Nike has decided to sever ties with the company, even though Lance Armstrong wasn’t a part of it anymore. The future of Livestrong  is doubtful but leaders of the foundation affirm that the foundation will still operate.