Subject: RE: Lance's team next year...As for the sponsorship angle. I know from working for a company that has a lot of nationwide interests, the sponsorship thing is really difficult to convince shareholders and board of directors on. The sponsorship MUST have direct, calculable returns on investment before approval or else it'll be seen as wasteful spending. As yourself this: Would a company rather sponsor a cycling team or keep from laying-off 30-100 workers? These are rough times for the sponsorship thing right now. However, if you threw Lance on that team after a year where he gets tested 1 zillion times and if he wins or gets a podium spot, you could easily justify it for a company that has a direct contact to cycling such as Nike or TREK or Academy Sports or Dicks Sporting Goods. Garmin makes GPSs for cycling and exercise, Columbia apparel for outdoor activities. Those are the only two US-based UCI squads right now. |