Sky have pulled the plug from end 2019

[rastapasta]

Morning All

The BBC have reported that Sky have pulled up their tent from the end of next year. i think its down to the fact of the controversy that has happened with the 'jiffy bag' and Froomes inhaler and perhaps also the fact that Disney own them now mean its no longer viable as a commercial advertisement operation.

What does everyone else think??

https://www.bbc.com/sport/46535894

[Dannbodge]

That's interesting, however I'm sure sponsors were lining up to get their name on the team.

Even with all the controversy, all you ever hear is the team name.

Edit: Sky have announced it now officially.

Edited by Dannbodge on Wednesday 12th December 08:14

[FredClogs]

I've heard on the grape vine "Boots the Pharmacists" want to take on the sponsorship.

(sorry, cheap shot couldn't resist)

[anonymous-user]

https://www.teamsky.com/article/an-open-letter-to-...

Sky has announced this morning that its ownership and sponsorship of Team Sky will end on 31 December 2019. So that means next year will be our last year racing as Team Sky.

more at the link

[keith2.2]

Ideally I guess Yogurt brand Skyr would take over if only to save money on having all the jerseys and stationery re-done.

[untakenname]

With the hostility shown to them by the French it's no surprise really.
They changed the sport but I'm not sure it was for the better.

[Marcellus]

I suspect continued sponsorship has all become too toxic for them, Jiffy Bags, inhalers, success (French hatred of anyone not French winning), Brexit (French hatred of anyone not French), being British (French hatred of the Brits) that they've just decided enough is enough, we'll spend the money elsewhere where we're appreciated like on our save the oceans project!

[upsidedownmark]

Personally I suspect that deep down, underneath the posturing, sky could care less about any of the 'negatives'.. what's the old saw about 'no such thing as bad publicity'. More likely IMHO that it's diminishing returns.. they pour a lot of money in, have achieved it all and winning is no longer big news, big brand exposure, or making any significant contribution to their bottom line. It's business and if you're not getting a return on investment, you pull it.

[anonymous-user]

Cost of running the team was the thick end of £34.5m for the year to 31 Dec 2017

I expect there are separate deals with some of the riders that sees them paid other than through this company

https://beta.companieshouse.gov.uk/company/0407820...



Of which Sky tipped up £25.3m

[rastapasta]

upsidedownmark said:

Personally I suspect that deep down, underneath the posturing, sky could care less about any of the 'negatives'.. what's the old saw about 'no such thing as bad publicity'. More likely IMHO that it's diminishing returns.. they pour a lot of money in, have achieved it all and winning is no longer big news, big brand exposure, or making any significant contribution to their bottom line. It's business and if you're not getting a return on investment, you pull it.

Sounds alot like why subaru pulled the world rally entry in 2008. We:

1. dont have a car for the new regs
2. dont have the money
3. We have gotten all we are going to get from the sport

[m444ttb]

Team Sky was also a James Murdoch pet project and he has gone now. I always found it slightly odd that while it was (mostly) good for Sky's profile they didn't really do much to show cycling on their channels. While I find that a little odd I'm quite glad that it's on Eurosport instead as hiding it behind a Sky paywall would suck for a lot of people.

[anonymous-user]

James murdoch sits on the board at Tesla

Just sayin

[anonymous-user]

Team ineos?

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/team-sky-n...

Eagle-eyed cycling fans have spotted domain names and a new Twitter account being registered that appear to confirm reports about the identity of Team Sky’s new sponsor.

While the squad was linked to Colombian oil interests in recent months, a chemicals billionaire from Britain with a keen interest in cycling has been in talks with the WorldTour outfit.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, may stump up the full £35 million annual budget for the squad.

.....

[TheFungle]

JPJPJP said:

Team ineos?

http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/team-sky-n...

Eagle-eyed cycling fans have spotted domain names and a new Twitter account being registered that appear to confirm reports about the identity of Team Sky’s new sponsor.

While the squad was linked to Colombian oil interests in recent months, a chemicals billionaire from Britain with a keen interest in cycling has been in talks with the WorldTour outfit.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Britain’s richest man, may stump up the full £35 million annual budget for the squad.

.....

For a sport with such a European history, it seems a strange fit for a company that is very public for it's support of Brexit.

[anonymous-user]

Fair play to stickybottle for being (maybe) the first to put this out there

https://www.teamsky.com/article/team-sky-to-become...

[Europa1]

TheFungle said:

For a sport with such a European history, it seems a strange fit for a company that is very public for it's support of Brexit.

Seriously?

[Parsnip]

Europa1 said:

TheFungle said:

For a sport with such a European history, it seems a strange fit for a company that is very public for it's support of Brexit.

Seriously?

It really is the modern day Godwin's Law...

[GOATever]

Jim is a apparently a notorious tightwad. So that’ll be Halfords finest Apollo BSOs for the team then.

[Wingo]

Professional cycling team sponsored by a chemical company...............................what could possibly go wrong?



Wingo.