The Rapids are "phasing out the Ciao Telecom logo and searching for a new front-of-jersey sponsor as the courts sort out who is on the hook for the failed" five-year, $8.3M sponsorship deal, according to Daniel Boniface of the DENVER POST. Large billboards promoting the team's first-ever jersey sponsor "remained on the light standards at Dick's Sporting Goods last week, but the logo has vanished from the Rapids' training gear, interview backdrops and team website." The Rapids on Sunday "played their first preseason match wearing jerseys devoid of the telecom company's emblem." The Rapids in October "filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Denver against Global Logistics Solutions, the North American distributor for Ciao Telecom, claiming the company had not paid a dime since sending a $75,000 payment to close the deal." Rapids President Tim Hinchey said that the club "was aware of the risk involved in partnering with the startup Ciao, but took a chance." Hinchey last month said that the club "was in talks with four or five potential jersey sponsors for 2015, two of which have since bowed out." He noted that discussions "are ongoing," but there is "nothing imminent'" (DENVER POST, 2/19).
