Armstrong cheated, but keep Livestrong Sporting Park
Yael T. AbouhalkahUPDATE 7 PM
ESPN reports the deal between Livestrong and Sporting KC is dead.
Bicyclist Lance Armstrong is a lying cheater, which has raised an intriguing question for us locally: Should Sporting KC change the name of its beautiful soccer stadium in Kansas City, Kan.?
I say no.
Livestrong Sporting Park - as much as it will remind people of the reprehensible deeds of Armstrong - should remain as it is.
I agree with Sporting KC CEO Robb Heineman: The team’s association with the work of Livestrong, which Armstrong founded, is important.
“The naming rights partnership between our stadium and Livestrong provides an opportunity to spread health and wellness messages that emphasizes the spirit of cancer survivorship, ” Heineman said in a statement last year. “Livestrong’s focus is the fight against cancer and the support of 28 million people around the world affected by this disease, and we believe strongly in this mission.”
The team’s deal with Livestrong is to donate at least $7.5 million in revenue over six years to the foundation.
I admit to having gone back and forth on this issue a few times, usually because I have lost all respect for Armstrong. He certainly was successful in his professional bicycling career, but it turns out he - and many others - cheated to achieve their fame and money during this time.
If changing the name of Livestrong Sporting Park were a way to punish Lance Armstrong, I’d be all for it.
But changing the name could hurt Livestrong and the work it does. That’s punishing the wrong people
I realize many people disagree, and I have to say I wouldn’t be devastated if the name were altered - as long as Livestrong got its money.
Then again, I don’t think any soccer fans in Kansas City have refused or will refuse to come to a Sporting KC game simply because the name of the stadium remains Livestrong Sporting Park.
Robert Copher
4 months, 1 week agoArmstrong more than cheated and I wish the worst for him, but I agree, Livestrong, Cheryl Crow, and anyone else that bought his lies, were just as duped as everyone else by his 2-face personality. I can only hope he gets whats coming to him. He ruined lives with his arrogance in his denials. I would like to see those Tour de France race true winners orchestrate a campaign to get their notariety and expose Armstrong for the person he is.
Phil Cardarella
4 months, 1 week agoOK, so he cheated.
And, by cheating, turned a sport unknown outside a few cycle-nerds in half a dozen European countries into a multi-billion dollar world-wide industry and an activity that improves the health of millions.
And, by cheating, he raised millions of dollars for and public awareness the need to cure a serious disease. Oh, and he gave hope to so many who needed it.
Sure, he made a bunch of money for himself. And he got the reward of celebrity. And, now, he gets the disgrace.
Got to say: I just wish the guys in charge had let it be. Yes, it may well have been stolen glory. And the guys who came in second may not have cheated — I suppose they will be looked at as closely as Lance. (Right!) But, the world nees heroes, folks. And the fact is, all heroes have feet of clay.
Here’s the deal: When you go see Les Miz? Spoiler alert: Javert is NOT the hero.
Jake White
4 months, 1 week agoMaybe if they changed it to Livestrong.org Park. The Livestrong brand directly benefits Lance Armstrong financially, and having the park named after his personal brand is in pretty poor taste. It’s complicated because not many people try to create a personal brand through charitable purposes then use the charities brand to benefit themselves, but Armstrong is not many people. He’s a royal jerk.
Robert Copher
4 months, 1 week agoPhil, the ends do not justify the means. I’m sorry. He was pro-active in his slander, and other ways, against anyone that spoke of his cheating and if the sports needs that kind of publicity or people need those kinds of heros, society is in worse shape than I thought. He ruined lives. He stole from people. He is a fraud. Not a hero.