• by Wayne Friedman , February 12, 2007

There is more fallout from the firing of Discovery Networks' President Billy Campbell. The cable network group will no longer sponsor its high-profile cycling team, of which Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was a member.

Discovery Channel will not renew title sponsorship of its pro-cycling team after the end of the 2007 season, according to published reports. Discovery's sponsorship was part of Lance Armstrong's run of seven Tour de France victories. This will save Discovery between $10 million and $12 million, according to industry estimates.

Discovery's abandonment was related to the recent hiring of Discovery Communications President and CEO David Zaslav from NBC. Zaslav made major executive changes that resulted in Campbell's departure.

Campbell championed the idea of Discovery sponsoring a cycling team, which was used as a marketing tool for Discovery's still growing channels in Europe. But many inside the company said the deal did little to promote Discovery's programming and network efforts.

Discovery first sponsored the team at a lower level in 2004, then took on title sponsorship in a three-year deal starting in 2005.

"This would not have happened if Billy Campbell was still there," Bill Stapleton told USA Today. Stapleton runs the team for majority owner Tailwind Sports. "This is about their change in management," he said.

Reports said that Campbell was in favor of signing recent Tour de France favorite Ivan Basso, in spite of the controversy that surrounded him following drug allegations.

Armstrong is now retired, but a co-owner of the team with Tailwind Sports. He recently has been involved in training at the team's California camp. The team is looking at new title sponsors for 2008.

Before Discovery Channel sponsorship, the United States Postal Service was the team's title sponsor. Armstrong's last Tour win was in 2005.

Discovery executives did not return phone calls by press time.