Yokohama reaches agreement to continue as Clippers sponsor

When it comes to racially-weighted remarks catching up with public figures, this has been quite a week. Jeremy Clarkson has issued an apology for his mumbled ‘N-word’, and on the other side of the Atlantic Donald Sterling has received a lifetime ban from the NBA for discriminatory comments. Following the decision to bar Los Angeles Clippers owner Sterling from any association with the basketball team or the NBA, Yokohama Tire Corporation has reached an agreement on its Clippers sponsorship.

Yokohama Tire Corporation says it has immediately reinstated its sponsorship of the team, with half of the 2014 NBA playoff sponsorship funds being earmarked to a charity instead of the organisation. “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,” said Andrew Briggs, YTC director, marketing and product planning. “With the Clippers’ agreement, we have found a way to continue moving forward and give back to the community and our fellow Clipper fans.”

Briggs said the money will be donated to NBA-sponsored charitable organisations dedicated to anti-discrimination and tolerance efforts.