Now the unintended consequences are happening in the aftermath of Trousergate...sponsors are now expressing their disappointment and shock at the cheating scandal. Now the realisation of their action will sink in.
From an article in the Sydney Morning Herald (behind paywall I believe):
Sanitarium, the maker of Weet-Bix and a sponsor of Steve Smith and the Big Bash League, said it did not condone cheating in sport.
“Cricket Australia updated us on this issue as the story broke yesterday and we’re continuing to follow it closely. It’s a shameful moment for Australian sport,” a spokeswoman for Sanitarium said.
“Regarding our sponsorship relationship with Steve Smith, we will assess our response once the management team of Cricket Australia has finalised its investigations.”
Hamish Douglass, chief executive of Magellan Financial Group, which sponsored the 2017-18 Ashes series, said the company was “deeply shocked and concerned by the news of cheating by the Australian Men’s Cricket team. Magellan finds cheating abhorrent".
Mr Douglass also said Magellan was in discussions with Cricket Australia, and expected “a robust and appropriate response from Cricket Australia and will determine our position once we’ve assessed it”.
CBA - a long-term sponsor of cricket - issued a short statement late on Sunday, saying “ We are disappointed about the events that have emerged from the Third Test in South Africa and have asked for a full explanation from Cricket Australia following the conclusion of its investigation into this affair.”
A spokesperson for Qantas, a major sponsor, said: “This is deeply disappointing and certainly not what anyone expects from our national cricket team. We are in discussions with Cricket Australia as this issue unfolds.”
In a statement, health insurer Bupa said: “We are very disappointed in what has emerged and have expressed that to Cricket Australia. We welcome the move for an investigation by the head of Integrity and Team Performance and await the outcome. As a health and care company we believe the game of cricket in Australia is bigger than this incident and the health benefits the sport provides to Australian families is the foundation for our partnership with Cricket Australia.”
While a spokesman for Toyota, Cricket Australia’s official automotive partner said: “We have no comment on the incident itself. However, we do have full confidence in Cricket Australia and its ability to deal with this issue.”