Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (right) stars in ads for State Farm, which is pausing sponsorship of the team in light of owner Donald Sterling's racially insensitive remarks but still will run its TV campaign starring Paul. In the background is Blake Griffin, who stars in a Kia ad campaign. Kia on Monday also said it is suspending its activities with the Clippers.(Photo: Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
LOS ANGELES – Sponsors are pulling a fast break away from the Los Angeles Clippers and their embattled owner, Donald Sterling.
As the condemnation of Sterling and his racially insensitive comments spread Monday, major financial supporters of the NBA franchise announced they were severing ties with the Clippers.
In rapid succession, the mass exodus included used car seller CarMax, State Farm Insurance, Kia Motors America, airline Virgin America, P. Diddy's water brand, AQUAHydrate, and Red Bull.
As AQUAHydrate posted on its Twitter account: "In the wake of Sterling's alleged intolerable comments we are suspending our Clippers sponsorship until the NBA completes its investigation."
The company expanded its intentions in a statement:
"In the wake of Donald Sterling's alleged defamatory and intolerable comments we have decided to suspend our sponsorship with the L.A. Clippers until the NBA completes its investigation. We fully support the players and fans of the L.A. Clippers and wish them the best in the remainder of the playoffs."
Sponsors Amtrak and Anheuser-Busch have also weighed in with their plans.
An Amtrak spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports the company is working to remove any remnants of a sponsorship agreement it had with the Clippers that expired at the end of the regular season.
"Amtrak believes the language used is unacceptable and is inconsistent with our corporate belief to treat everyone with integrity and dignity," the company said in a statement. "As with any sponsorship advertising, some assets remain in market – to that end we are diligently working to remove all sponsorship assets.
"Moving forward, we will continue to monitor the situation as we look to make decisions about 2014-15 sports marketing sponsorships."
Anheuser-Busch released this statement:
"As the official beer of the NBA, we are disappointed to hear the alleged recent comments attributed to L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling. While Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light are not team sponsors of the L.A. Clippers, we fully support the NBA's efforts to investigate quickly and trust that they will take appropriate action."
Also, Red Bull is pulling its Clippers support while still sponsoring Griffin.
"We trust and respect the NBA's process to formally investigate the matter, and in the interim, are suspending all team-related marketing activities," the company said in a statement supplied to USA TODAY Sports. "We will continue to support our Red Bull athlete, Blake Griffin, his teammates and coaching staff in their pursuit of an NBA title."
MORE: NBA to hold news conference Tuesday on Sterling
Other major sponsors yet to be heard from include Yokohama and Corona beer.
"CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers owner completely unacceptable," a company statement said. "These views conflict with CarMax's culture of respect for all individuals. While we have been a proud Clippers sponsor for nine years and support the team, fans and community, these statements necessitate that CarMax end its sponsorship."
State Farm also pulled its Clippers' sponsorship, although the company said it will continue its popular ad series featuring Clippers point guard Chris Paul and his fictitious nerdy brother, Cliff Paul.
"The remarks attributed to the Clippers owner are offensive," State Farm said in a statement. "While those involved sort out the facts, we will be taking a pause in our relationship with the organization. We are monitoring the situation and we'll continually assess our options. We have a great relationship with Chris Paul and will continue the Born to Assist advertising campaign involving Chris and now other NBA players."
MORE: NAACP exec gives explanation for award to Sterling
Kia Motors America, which has worked with Clippers All-Star forward Blake Griffin on a series of ads, released this statement: "The comments allegedly made by Clippers owner Donald Sterling are offensive and reprehensible, and they are inconsistent with our views and values. We are suspending our advertising and sponsorship activities with the Clippers. Meanwhile, as fans of the game of basketball, our support of the players and the sport is unwavering."
A Virgin America spokesperson said, "While we continue to support the fans and the players, Virgin America has made the decision to end its sponsorship of the L.A. Clippers."
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