Nike cuts ties with cancer charity founded by Lance Armstrong

Nike has already separated itself from Lance Armstrong, dropping its sponsorship of the disgraced cyclist in October after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency exposed him as the ringleader of a team doping program.

Now the sports shoe and clothing company is also parting ways with Livestrong, the cancer charity founded by Armstrong. The nine-year relationship between Nike and the foundation helped raise more than $100 million and turned the charity’s yellow wristband into an international symbol for cancer survivors.

Livestrong officials announced the split Tuesday, saying they are “deeply grateful” to Nike.

“Together, we created new, revolutionary ways of thinking about how nonprofits fuel their mission and we’re proud of that,” the foundation said.

Armstrong started the charity in 1997 as the Lance Armstrong Foundation. The name was changed to Livestrong after the now-admitted doper was pushed off the board late last year.

Despite the loss of such a deep-pocketed sponsor, Livestrong officials say their foundation will be fine.

“This news will prompt some to jump to negative conclusions about the foundation’s future. We see things quite differently,” the foundation said. “We expected and planned for changes like this and are therefore in a good position to adjust swiftly and move forward with our patient-focused work.”

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