Several sponsors including Sprint and Samsung drop the L.A. Clippers

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 CarMax, State Farm Insurance, Kia Motors America, Virgin America, Red Bull, Yokohama, and Mercedes-Benz.

Stemming from the recorded, racist comments allegedly spoken by L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling, sponsors of the basketball team are quickly abandoning the franchise while the NBA investigates the situation. Virgin America, CarMax and Mercedes-Benz USA have released statements today that state the companies will be completely terminating all sponsorship deals with the L.A. Clippers. Mercedes-Benz was a particularly complex sponsorship relationship as the company offered a “Preferred Valet Experience” at the games which included court-side club passes and valet parking to Mercedes owners at the Staples Center.