Yokohama Tire renews support for the Clippers

April 30, 2014

(CNS) – The Yokohama Tire Corp., which pulled its sponsorship of the Los Angeles Clippers when racially charged comments by owner Donald Sterling were made public, announced today it was renewing its support of the team, with half of its money going to anti-discrimination charities.

The decision follows Tuesday’s announcement by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver that Sterling was being banned from the league for life. The league also plans to pressure Sterling to sell the franchise he has owned since 1981.

“Yokohama applauds NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s leadership and actions by banning Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life from any association with the team or NBA,” according to Andrew Briggs, director of marketing and product planning for Yokohama.  ”With the Clippers’ agreement, we have found a way to continue moving forward and give back to the community and our fellow Clipper fans.”

Under its new deal with the team, half of the Fullerton-based company’s playoff sponsorship of the team will go toward “charitable organizations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts.”