The Clippers Are Losing Sponsors [Updates]

Used-car retailer CarMax announced today that it will end its nine-year relationship with the Clippers, with a rep saying "CarMax finds the statements attributed to the Clippers' owner completely unacceptable."

CNBC is reporting two other companies pulling out:

"High-performance water" maker AquaHydrate announced it will suspend its relationship with the Clippers. Red Bull too.

On ESPN radio this morning, Steve Stoute, the founder and CEO of Translation marketing firm, claimed that one of his clients, State Farm insurance, would no longer work with the Clippers, and called for all the team's sponsors to boycott. (State Farm has not had an official response yet.)

Update: In a statement, State Farm announced "We will be taking a pause in our relationship" with the Clippers, but that its ad campaign featuring Chris Paul will continue.

The most important name to speak out in condemnation of Donald Sterling has been Michael Jordan. Not because he's the biggest star this league's ever known, nor because he's a fellow owner, but because he's the man who once brushed off any social responsibilities by saying "Republicans buy shoes too." Jordan's statement—after an initial refusal to comment—was a sign that the tipping point had been reached, that it's now prudent business to shun Sterling. When you've lost Michael Jordan, you've lost corporate America. And when you lose corporate America, you lose the war.