The SKY is falling

[Eugene]

Living proof that there is always one

Well said.......

 

Funny you should say that, I expected at least one such comment.

[Bos]

remind me, who sponsored this team before Sky ?

[Eugene]

remind me, who sponsored this team before Sky ?

If I remember they started from scratch.

[Dirt Tracker]

Comcast obviously don't see it as a worthwhile investment in cycling

 

and the PR returns haven't been exactly stellar in the last 24 months. No one expected them to stay in the game for ever but with riders on contact for up to 5 years (though you'd guess they are well protected in their contracts), a glut of riders and staff about to flood the market the net result will be more riders fighting for less spots in UCI forced smaller teams, much lower budgets in the teams available and a constricting in the sport. The model is so old. Look at the folds this year, look at the team that never got off the ground. 

 

Velon was supposed create some sustainable rights revenue that might have push a change in the set. 

 

Well done to them, they changed cycling, the professionalism and have helped turn the UK into a cycling nation at grass roots and elite level. 

 

Well at least LaPart' and the UCI won't have to keep slashing team sizes to neuter the Skybots. 

 

 

[Shebeen]

Sky is no longer Sky and owned by the Murdoch's, was bought by Comcast in October.  James Murdoch was a keen cyclist and hence the sponsorship, but left when the deal went through.

 

Comcast obviously don't see it as a worthwhile investment in cycling

This was mentioned at the time.

 

thing is, pro cycling is held up by a revolving door of murdochs, jerry ryan, tinkoffs, rhis who do terrible commercial deals on behalf of their companies to play in this game.

Then you get your national sponsors, astana/bahrain/uae, that never makes sense in my mind, but is funny money especially when it comes from the actual lottery.

and the guys like DDD, QS et al who need to actually justify their spend as exposure, somehow.

 

As a cyclist, I'm obviously biased but if i was a really stinky rich bugger - having a cycling team seems quite lekker. Especially when the same amount of $$$ would get you a 3rd tier football team with a stadium of 5000 in a dodgy part of northwest england (all made up). I'll take sipping champagne in the alps in july thank you!

 

NOW, cycling has always been a working class sport in the past, but it is indeed getting fancier. I don't think the revolving door of rich buggers is going anywhere just yet. who would have guessed that a polish handbag guy would take over BMC?!

 

It will bring an end to Sky's investment in the team, which has totalled more than £150m over the last 10 years and made Team Sky comfortably the richest outfit in world cycling.

 

that's petty cash, ever heard of Ineos?

me neither

Chemical giant INEOS, Britain’s largest privately-owned company, has put up a budget of £110million to challenge for the Auld Mug in New Zealand in 2021.

“It’s a big moment for the team,” said Ainslie. “We’re in the strongest position we have ever been in. It’s an exciting time.”

[Shebeen]

oh, and this is what first came into my mind when i saw the thread title.

 

 

magic potion and all!

[Gen]

Sky is no longer Sky and owned by the Murdoch's, was bought by Comcast in October. James Murdoch was a keen cyclist and hence the sponsorship, but left when the deal went through.

 

Comcast obviously don't see it as a worthwhile investment in cycling

I wouldn't invest in a cycling team.. you can only bleed money for so long even when you are filthy rich..

 

It really comes to no surprise ..we all discussed this when the news of a sale surfaced.

[SwissVan]

Well said.......

 

Funny you should say that, I expected at least one such comment.

Hehe

Touchè

[ichnusa]

There is only one way to go from the top...

[Eldron]

This team probably has 7 of the next 10 TdFs sewn up. Big results but can they find a bid enough sponsor?

 

I'm a little sad Mclaren just already signed up with BM - would have been a great Sky fit.

[Pure Savage]

I wouldn't invest in a cycling team.. you can only bleed money for so long even when you are filthy rich..

 

It really comes to no surprise ..we all discussed this when the news of a sale surfaced.

Obviously not rich enough then.

[shaper]

Maybe Tinkoff will make a comeback?? 

[Gen]

Maybe Tinkoff will make a comeback??

[emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787][emoji1787]

[FootballingCyclist]

Perhaps Dougie was right when he said an "African" rider will win the TdF in 2020 for Team Dimension Data!! 

 

unconfirmed quote, But that is what I heard he said, and after all, Froome is "African"

[Gen]

Perhaps Dougie was right when he said an "African" rider will win the TdF in 2020!!

 

unconfirmed quote, But that is what I heard he said, and after all, Froome is "African"

Don't let him hear you say that!!

[Cav']

Well ain't that just a peach.