Foothill Ranch-based Oakley Inc. on Monday became the latest company to drop Lance Armstrong after Union Cycliste Internationale, the international cycling union, stripped the cyclist of his seven Tour de France titles.
Oakley, the manufacturer and retailer of performance sunglasses and sports apparel, said it has severed its relationship with Armstrong, effective immediately, and based its decision in part on “the overwhelming evidence that (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency) presented.”
“When Lance joined our family many years ago, he was a symbol of possibility,” according to a company statement. “We are deeply saddened by the outcome but look forward with hope to athletes and teams of the future who will rekindle that inspiration by racing clean, fair and honest.”
The company, a division of Milan-based Luxottica Group SpA, is cutting its ties to Armstrong, but not to Livestrong, the foundation he launched to support people with cancer. Armstrong stepped down as foundation chairman Wednesday.
“We believe the Livestrong Foundation has been a positive force in the lives of many affected by cancer and, at this time, Oakley will continue to support its noble goals,” the company said.
Oakley will continue to manufacture Livestrong-related men’s and women’s products, which feature the foundation’s signature yellow branding, including a $3,050 special-edition carbon fiber and titanium watch, sports sunglasses ranging from $149.99 to $290, and prescription eyeglasses priced from $240 to $250. For every purchase of the special-edition sunglasses, Oakley provides $20 to the foundation.
Other sponsors have ended their affiliation with Armstrong, including Nike, Michelob Ultra, Trek Bicycle Corp., 24 Hour Fitness and Honey Stinger since the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report was released this month. The national anti-doping organization found that Armstrong and his cycling team “ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”
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