Is Armstrong Buying Team Astana?
by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2009 1:36 PM EDT
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PrintA number of you guys have already seen the CN note which has Lance Armstrong getting into team ownership and management, pretty much ASAP, while he's still a racing cyclist. You probably also saw the post below and assorted comments to the effect that Astana appear to be on their way out as a sponsor, sometime between yesterday and later this summer. So the speculation begins. Maybe the two stories are unrelated, but Lance and Bruyneel are so intertwined that the idea of Lance passing up the chance to take over this rather excellent pro tour squad seems absurd.
Team Astana is a Luxembourg company, officially, located in Petange. It's not clear from any of their communications who the owners are. Obviously Tailwind Sports disbanded when Discovery did, but I wouldn't be shocked if Bruyneel were part of the ownership group, along with some people from the title sponsor and/or government of Kazakhstan. Presumably anyone from the latter would want to sell if Astana is no longer the title sponsor. So if the team is getting gutted, and Lance were buying his way into cycling with a major team on which he plans to ride, he would have the chance (obligation?) to buy in as a team owner.
From there he would need to find title sponsors. I suppose "Livestrong" could be one, but I doubt it. He is connected, so there are numerous companies we could speculate on, but for now it's just that. Best guesses are a big American company; something related to cancer research is possible, though I can't think of why such an entity would benefit from flashing its name around. And the drug-makers... the imaging is too complicated, methinks.
Anyway, I don't want to start another referendum on Lance: good guy or no? I do think it'd be quite interesting to see an active racer/team owner. I doubt this is the first, but I couldn't tell you when the last time was that an active racer owned his own team. Surely it's been a while.
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quick question,
doesn’t David Millar own a stake in Garmin-Chipotle? Not majority owner, for sure…but I wonder how common something like this is. Probably not very I imagine.
Interesting
Does Hincapie have a stake in Columbia? That would explain why they kept waiting for him in Paris-Roubaix.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2009 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
hehe
I don’t know, but I do know that Hincapie jeans are the official jeans of the team. No joke. Check it out!
by plinytheelder on May 4, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, it was just too embarrassing
when Cav showed up in that Versus video wearing Rock & Republic.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
And speaking of Rock
they now have another National Champ on their roster after Santiago Botero won the time trial. Will they be able to afford another design?
According to the NY Times
Bruyneel’s holding company owns Astana. I’ll see if I can dig anything else up on that.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Joe Lindsey's article from last September, speculating on Lance's comeback team
The cycling team known as Astana is really Olympus Sarl, a holding company based in Luxembourg that is wholly owned by Johan Bruyneel. Bruyneel holds the UCI racing license for the team. His company employs the staff and directors. He owns the team busses and cars, signs the sponsor agreements for equipment and cash and has full operational control over the entire apparatus. Most crucially, when riders sign contracts, they do so with Bruyneel and Olympus, not the Kazakh sponsors. The smart money says get ready for something like Team Livestrong, presented by Nike.
So if the Kazakh sponsors bail, it’s still Bruyneel’s team.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
interesting
though re: “presented by Nike,” didn’t someone post here recently that Nike had stopped making cycling-related (or at least racing-related) apparel? I’m sure they could get it going again within a matter of seconds, that’s not really an issue – still, funny what this would say…
by plinytheelder on May 4, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
I just looked on their site. They have a section for the livestrong line, and yet not a single biking-related product. Creepy…
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Nike doesn't sponsor teams.
Just want to put that out there again. There will be no "presented by Nike" part of any new team.
For what it's worth, Nike is one of Astana's sponsors.
But the point of quoting Lindsey wasn’t to imply that Nike would become a title sponsor if the Kazakhs pull out, just that there had been previous speculation that Bruyneel could get other sponsorship if he wants because he seems to own the team.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
now I'm confused (this should surprise no one)...so Nike does sponsor teams?
by plinytheelder on May 4, 2009 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, they're listed among the sponsors on Astana's website.
Here’s a list from Wikipedia of the individuals, teams, and events Nike sponsors—no idea how complete or up to date it is.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Yep
I suppose the distinction some are making is between throwing money versus throwing product at teams. Nike definitely throws product at a lot of teams, and Astana is among them. I’m not sure if they are a cash sponsor, though.
But they don't sponsor teams beyond the usual apparel stuff.
In other words we won’t be seeing Team Nike or Team so-and-so presented by Nike or anything with Nike in the team name. They don’t do that level of sponsorship.
Sounds good to me!
I know I am. Tired that is. Of seeing that ad.
But the obvious choice is Team Lo Pan.
that's just branded stuff
Looks like the bibs are Giordano. Says the jerseys are made out of Nike supersomething material, but also made in Italy (also outsourced to Giordano?). Aside from what Will linked above, there’s no Nike cycling line.
Nike contracts Giordana
to make a lot of the team wear, (and pays handsomely). And DMT for the shoes that Lance, Levi and others wear.
Mavic always designed and had made the shoes and clothing, and sold them under a license from Adidas.
The Nike situation was quite similar. Trek designed, had made and sold all the “Nike” cycling related stuff. Lance retired and those license fees started to be too much, so they swapped labels and all that junk became Bontrager!? Lance then screws them by coming out of retirement just as Trek has dropped the Nike license. Mr Big is back but there isn’t any product to sell the Nike-starved cycling public even though several riders continue to promote Nike.
For the record
I don’t believe for a second that this is going to happen. Lance is interested in riding and winning, I don’t think he has any ambitions to work in the background after he re-retires.
Joke aside
I really don’t have any feelings either way in this case. LA running a team could be good or bad, I have no idea. I simply don’t think he’s interested .
Well I agree with you.
It will be interesting to see how this turns out (“this” being the whole Astana running out of money- or not- thing and what then happens to the riders) but other than that… it’s all academic to me.
I see LA has blocked...
Cycling Weekly on Twitter because they questioned whether it was right that he participated in Gila. I guess that also means his black book has been reopened, and Cycling Weekly is back on the list (he took them off the list to give them this interview, which won the interviewer an award http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Lance_Armstrong_exclusive_interview_article_273248.html).
LA hasn’t blocked Cycle Sport – apparently he’s unaware that the same people Tweet for both accounts….
So, the LIVESTRONG message is now no longer received by the UK’s best-selling cycling publication. Who wins?
https://twitter.com/KankiKnight
Team USA
Couldn’t Obama / Congress just give Bruyneel $15M of the $700 Billion credit crunch hand out?
formerly known as cyclingchallenge
For overseas work?
Don’t you read the papers? No, I can see some ARIA funds going to the 2010 Tour de Georgia though.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
My question is that if Armstrong buys the team,
does he immediately sell off the team’s most valuable rider? That would certainly cut the bottom line while clearing away any “who’s the boss” kind of questions.
Brooklyn Chewing Gum: Vlaanderens Mooiste
Surprised they didn't do that last fall
The money problems date from late last Summer. You’d think they’d have taken the buy-out and run. Perhaps, idly speculating, Astana set the price too high, and the potential buyers walked.
The buy-out consortium
You mean that crackerjack group consisting of Bear Sterns, Chrysler and the leading banks of Iceland?
In fiscal reality
The Accountant’s contract and the UCI license are the main assets of the team. Bruyneel/Armstrong can only market the franchise based upon putting a title sponsor’s name on Contador’s chest in July for the next five years or so—-I doubt sponsors care very much about Levi or Popo. Armstrong’s association with the team means something while he’s riding, but not so much once he’s done.
If Armstrong ends up as the owner/sponsor and sells Bert, then the plan is to have the team fold in November at the latest.
Hm
What if Levi wins the Giro? Probably helps more in the marketing department, even if he’s getting along in years.
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Depends on where they are shopping for sponsors
LOL, if they want an Italian sponsor – or a co. that wants to sell in Italy – nothing could be better.
Oh man, I see it now, Lance Armstrong riding for the.....
Fightin Girbecco’s team!
In Chauncey we trust!
Girbecco says:
“I refuse to ride a Trek”
by plinytheelder on May 4, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
who says the team will ride Trek's?
yes, Girbecco is powerful enough to make Lance Armstrong switch bikes.
In Chauncey we trust!
Girbecco says:
Lance, here’s your new Lemond!
by plinytheelder on May 4, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Girbecco says:
Blue is a nice color. Matching tires too. Make it happen!
CQRanking.com, you complete me.
by Chris Fontecchio on May 4, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions
We have business to discuss, Sir
"I get paid to hurt other people. How good is that? How good is that?
I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, that's good." Jens!
jsallee00 -
Just send him the toe first as a teaser!
I love C, not because he rocks as a cyclist, but because deep down he's a band geek! LOL!
as crazy as it seems
it’s really hard to find a toe on a stinking goat. I could send another toe, but Jimbo has already proven to be too clever to fall for my deception.
I need a plan B
"I get paid to hurt other people. How good is that? How good is that?
I get paid to make other people suffer on my wheel, that's good." Jens!
How about Amgen-Dopestrong . . .
. . . with a little Mellow Johnny’s logo on the Jersey?
The sponsorship is obvious
Team Mellow Johny’s
Of course, that’ll totally screw them next year at the Gila, but one step at a time.
Learn more. Be better.
This better not be more manufactured drama.
If not, I await to see if certain ASO people would somehow be connected to this team.
Mon coeur appartient à les forçats de la route.
oakley
Everyone overlooks (pun sorta intended) Oakley, but they have been Armstrong’s longest-running and most tightly-involved sponsor.
Could cause some problems with Giro. . . .
I’d also include SRAM. Ya’ll catch Armstrong dropping the “I’m an investor in SRAM” line?
You're right--strong, strong relationship with Oakley.
They’re the ones who got him coverage when Lance found out during treatment that he was uninsured.
You need to do this race two or three times before you can win, despite what Cunego showed us last year: winning in his first try--Frank Schleck, on Amstel Gold
Really, wow, that's a pretty impressive act....
by bradBordeaux on May 5, 2009 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Then there's the Vino aspect
It’s been touched on before but rumors have been consistently saying Vino was coming back to Astana after the Tour. Of course if Astana no longer exists…
Lance Twitter
In a recent twitter Lance Posted this link…
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cycling/news/story?id=4145429
and said…
the last line is news to me
So does that mean he is not forming his own team, or does it mean he is not having trouble finding a sponsor?
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