• MSNBC/AP, Tuesday, August 7, 2007 11:17 AM

General Motors will end its $1 billion sponsorship of the U.S. Olympic Committee when its current agreement expires next year. GM says the move is a result of changes in its marketing strategy and came after it evaluated the return on its advertising investment.

GM spokeswoman Ryndee Carney says she does not know what the automaker's strategy would be for advertising related to the Olympics beyond the Beijing games in 2008. Chevrolet continues to sponsor the U.S. Snowboarding Team, and GM of Canada is sponsoring the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver.

GM signed a 10-year, $1 billion sponsorship agreement in 1997 to buy rights as the official vehicle-maker for the U.S. team. The deal was extended through 2008 in November 2004. The company has been involved with the U.S. Olympic Committee as a sponsor since 1984.

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