STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — The unavoidable fallout from the child sex abuse scandal that has rocked Penn State University has lead to some sponsors cutting ties with the school and its football program, according to a new report.
Cars.com, an online automobile dealer, has pulled the plug on its sponsorship deal with ESPN for Penn State’s upcoming game against Nebraska on Saturday, Advertising Age reported Friday.
In a statement, Cars.com said it informed ESPN earlier this week of its decision to withdraw advertisements for Saturday’s game as well as Penn State’s Nov. 19 game against Ohio State, “due to the recent allegations surrounding the Penn State Football program.”
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Meanwhile, as interim football coach Tom Bradley addressed the media Thursday for the first time since the firing of longtime coach Joe Paterno, the logo of paint manufacturer Sherwin-Williams, which typically adorns the backdrop during Penn State athletic press conferences, was noticeably absent.
Advertising Age also pointed out the “sponsorships” page on Penn State’s athletics website, which usually lists more than two dozen sponsors — including Pepsi and Nike — was now blank.
A Nike spokesperson told The Oregonian Wednesday the sports apparel giant’s relationship with Penn State remained unchanged, but added the company would “continue to monitor the situation closely.”
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The shocking allegations involving former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who has been charged with molesting eight boys over a period of 15 years, have placed a dark cloud over the once-proud university and led to the firing of not only iconic coach, but also the school’s president, Graham Spanier.
“We still haven’t heard the full story, and it’s not going to go away for quite a while,” sports marketing expert Bob Dorfman told Advertising Age. “New allegations may emerge, new victims may come forward. Expect more sponsors to cut the cord.
“They’re morally obligated to separate themselves from the program.’