Cars.com "has withdrawn its presenting sponsorship of Saturday afternoon college football on ESPN for the next two weeks" in the wake of Penn State's sexual abuse scandal, according to ESPN’s John Anderson. ESPN is scheduled to air Nebraska-Penn State this Saturday at noon ET and Penn State-Ohio State next Saturday (“SportsCenter,” ESPN2, 11/10). USA TODAY's Michael McCarthy noted Cars.com "doesn't want its brand associated with a telecast featuring Penn State." The company in a statement said, "As a proud, longtime supporter of ESPN College Football, it's important to us that we're building our brand and raising the visibility of our advertisers in a way that celebrates the sport, the dedication of its student athletes and the many reputable universities that field teams. We will still be sponsoring a game this weekend." ESPN VP/PR Josh Krulewitz "declined to comment on whether other advertisers are dropping out" (USATODAY.com, 11/10).
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