State Farm Cuts Ties with Penn State Football
By: Jacob Long, WMBD/WYZZ-TV
Updated: July 24, 2012
BLOOMINGTON - There is more fallout in the wake of a sex abuse scandal at Penn State.
This time it involves McLean County's largest employer.
State Farm Insurance is a long-time sponsor of the Penn State football program. But the company said Tuesday that will not be the case for the 2012 season.
It's cutting sponsorship ties with the program until further notice.
No one from the insurance giant agreed to an interview with WMBD 31. But a spokeswoman said on the phone the decision is not tied to Jerry Sandusky or recent sanctions the NCAA placed on the university.
"That is not a deciding factor," said State Farm Spokeswoman Arlene Lester.
Sandusky is a former coach who is awaiting sentencing after he was convicted on child sex abuse charges.
A report also found Penn State leaders concealed evidence Sandusky was molesting young boys over a long period of time.
When pressed on this issue, Lester would only say State Farm reviews its sponsorships annually.
"I know you want a definitive reason why. Unfortunately, I cannot provide that for you. I just don't have the answer," she said.
Lester said the company decided to not sponsor the Penn State football program any longer in the 2011 season.
That is the same year Sandusky was arrested and charged after a long investigation.
No ads are going to be removed from Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Lester said they've already been taken down.
However, Penn State might appear in stadiums with State Farm ads when playing away games.
The company plans on sponsoring the university's basketball program and will continue to be a national advertiser for the NCAA.
State Farm Spokeswoman Holly Anderson added she didn't believe the company dropped sponsorships with any other college football team in 2011.
Meanwhile, in a separate matter, Jerry Sandusky and his wife are State Farm customers.
Their first homeowners policy was written in 1985. But now the insurance company is taking the Pennsylvania couple to court.
It's trying to avoid any payouts that might result of the sex abuse scandal.
A federal lawsuit filed last week argues the Sandusky's policy does not cover willful and malicious acts.
Sandusky is expected to face several civil suits as well.
In a separate matter..
Jerry Sandusky and his wife are State Farm customers.
Their first homeowners policy was written in 1985.
But now the company is taking the couple to court.
It wants to avoid any payouts that could come from the sex abuse scandal.
A federal lawsuit filed last week argues the Sanduskys' policy does not cover any willful and malicious acts.
The former coach is expected to face several civil suits as well.
