Flat Tire: Adidas Ends Sponsorship Of Cycling Team T-Mobile

adidas is ending its sponsorship of German cycling team T-Mobile because "of more doping revelations," and the team's main sponsor, Telekom, "also is considering terminating its relationship with the team," according to Roy Kammerer of the AP. Audi and bike manufacturer Giant may also end their sponsorships with the team.  adidas Chief Corporate Communications Dir Jan Runau said that the company, whose contract expires at the end of '08, has been "talking to Telekom about the doping problem" since last year's Tour de France.  Runau: "Obviously, it's a long story of doping and discussions with Telekom. ... We are in talks to get out of the [T-Mobile] contract early." adidas cited T-Mobile cyclist Patrik Sinkewitz's recent testimony that his "doping continued at the team in 2006, later than previously known," as the "final straw." Sinkewitz tested positive during the '07 Tour.  adidas and Telekom have "other intertwining sponsorships," including German Bundesliga's Bayern Munich and the German national soccer team (AP, 11/8).

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