Dear UCI,now that you're about to lose an assload of money....

[kidwoo]

I heard it went a little differently than everyone expected.

[General Lee]

Why Oprah? I would guess he's getting a lot of money. Seeing as all his endorsements are gone and he is facing multiple lawsuits, I would assume that money is no longer in great supply.

With a net worth of aprox $125 million, he's got a bit of a cushion even if he has to pay back $12 mil or so in prize money/bonuses and fight a few more lawsuits down the road.

From Velonews: "A spokeswoman for Winfrey insisted Wednesday no question would be off limits and Armstrong would not be paid for a 90-minute interview that is due to air on January 17."

Why Oprah: http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...winfrey_270837

[motomike]

I think this is what you guys are talking about?

http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...-omerta_271618

[Pslide]

Question is, if this whole scandal brings down the UCI, will I love or hate Armstrong?

Two things I do know:

Trek should bring back the Lemond brand.
Trek should make a farewell video for Gwin.

[SuspectDevice]

Question is, if this whole scandal brings down the UCI, will I love or hate Armstrong?

Two things I do know:

Trek should bring back the Lemond brand.
Trek should make a farewell video for Gwin.

Trek f#cked Lemond hard. They have parted ways.
I know there are a couple of semi-shuttered bike factories in the USA that would love to build some bikes for his brand though...

[aaronjb]

With a net worth of aprox $125 million, he's got a bit of a cushion even if he has to pay back $12 mil or so in prize money/bonuses and fight a few more lawsuits down the road.

From Velonews: "A spokeswoman for Winfrey insisted Wednesday no question would be off limits and Armstrong would not be paid for a 90-minute interview that is due to air on January 17."

Why Oprah: http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...winfrey_270837

You're way off base with the $125 million figure. I'd say he's $20 million liquid, and that he's highly leveraged. His finances are a complete mess based on how he's moved money and property in the past 18 months - and that's just the transactions which are public. He was already in a tough spot before the 2009 comeback.

Sure, he'll never be in the poor house. It's just that the $120+ million figure that's bandied about is far from accurate. You seem like a level-headed guy. Don't buy into the hype.

Cash flow and liquidity are his primary issues at the moment, particularly as he burns through an estimated $500k/month in legal fees.

[aaronjb]

Also, yeah, if Armstrong does dish on the UCI and is truly open, then they're done. The breakaway organization will move forward with full IOC support at that point.

[jonKranked]

Not just uci, but WADA too. Which would mean this has implications well beyond cycling.

[wood booger]

Why would one choose to come clean on...Oprah?

Maybe he felt that she might be the only person that wouldn't reach over and strangle him to death mid-interview. Or maybe he wants to tap that?

More like his last nut has fallen off and he is a full on woman now.

[BigBoi]

You're way off base with the $125 million figure. I'd say he's $20 million liquid, and that he's highly leveraged. His finances are a complete mess based on how he's moved money and property in the past 18 months - and that's just the transactions which are public. He was already in a tough spot before the 2009 comeback.

Sure, he'll never be in the poor house. It's just that the $120+ million figure that's bandied about is far from accurate. You seem like a level-headed guy. Don't buy into the hype.

Cash flow and liquidity are his primary issues at the moment, particularly as he burns through an estimated $500k/month in legal fees.

I think you hit the nail on the head, highly leveraged. When your income of several $million per year stops, your liabilities don't just go away. And I'm guessing his liabilities are several $million per year as well. Sprinkle in a few lawsuits and the need for a full time security team and you suddenly have to change your lifestyle drastically AND go on Oprah.

[Spinning Lizard]

Also looks like he trying to cut a deal with Feds. They are going after a drug trafficking charge which carries a min of a 2 year jail sentence. USA Cycling is in this too. You know Bruynell is walking around in depends right now.

This will be great entertainment, probably better then most of the actual racing this year.

[Spinning Lizard]

Can you add a poll to this thread? How many of you bet he cries? I think he does but they are fake.

[aaronjb]

Also looks like he trying to cut a deal with Feds. They are going after a drug trafficking charge which carries a min of a 2 year jail sentence. USA Cycling is in this too. You know Bruynell is walking around in depends right now.

The federal investigation was shuttered last year with the help of Bill Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. It's unlikely (impossible?) that Birotte's office would reopen that case.

The open avenue now will be the Qui Tam case that Landis initiated.

[Spinning Lizard]

The federal investigation was shuttered last year with the help of Bill Clinton and Nancy Pelosi. It's unlikely (impossible?) that Birotte's office would reopen that case.

The open avenue now will be the Qui Tam case that Landis initiated.

Will try to find the link. Thought I read it on Velonews this morning, but I have not been able to locate it.

This is nice summary so far though - http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...ng-suit_271482

[norbar]

With a net worth of aprox $125 million, he's got a bit of a cushion even if he has to pay back $12 mil or so in prize money/bonuses and fight a few more lawsuits down the road.

From Velonews: "A spokeswoman for Winfrey insisted Wednesday no question would be off limits and Armstrong would not be paid for a 90-minute interview that is due to air on January 17."

Why Oprah: http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/...winfrey_270837

Net worth isn't your liquid assets.