Bob Stapleton
Encyclopedia
Bob Stapleton is an American
entrepreneur and the team owner of cycling team
. Stapleton was previously the team manager of when it was known as . The transition to owner occurred on November 28, 2007 when German
telecom company Deutsche Telekom
ended its sponsorship after numerous doping allegations surfaced throughout 2007.
Stapleton began his relationship with T-Mobile
when his communications company VoiceStream Wireless
was bought in 2000 by Deutsche Telekom for $50 billion. The original purchase price of Voicestream was $50B. At closing, DT stock had gone down and the value was less. VoiceStream was renamed T-Mobile USA
. He later became involved with cycling by founding High Road Sports Inc., which managed T-Mobile Team (both men's and women's) until 2007.
After the Operación Puerto scandal touched big names of the men's team such as Jan Ullrich
and Óscar Sevilla
, and following disputes among riders and managing staff, there were major changes in both the team's roster and management, and Stapleton was appointed team manager.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
entrepreneur and the team owner of cycling team
Road bicycle racing
Road bicycle racing is a bicycle racing sport held on roads, using racing bicycles. The term "road racing" is usually applied to events where competing riders start simultaneously with the winner being the first to the line at the end of the course .Historically, the most...
. Stapleton was previously the team manager of when it was known as . The transition to owner occurred on November 28, 2007 when German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
telecom company Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom AG is a telecommunications company headquartered in Bonn, Germany. It is the largest telecommunications company in Europe....
ended its sponsorship after numerous doping allegations surfaced throughout 2007.
Stapleton began his relationship with T-Mobile
T-Mobile
T-Mobile International AG is a German-based holding company for Deutsche Telekom AG's various mobile communications subsidiaries outside Germany. Based in Bonn, Germany, its subsidiaries operate GSM and UMTS-based cellular networks in Europe, the United States, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands...
when his communications company VoiceStream Wireless
VoiceStream Wireless
VoiceStream Wireless Inc. traces it roots to the 1994 establishment of VoiceStream Wireless PCS as a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corporation. On May 3, 1999, Western Wireless Corporation spun off its VoiceStream Wireless PCS subsidiary to Western Wireless shareholders, creating an independent,...
was bought in 2000 by Deutsche Telekom for $50 billion. The original purchase price of Voicestream was $50B. At closing, DT stock had gone down and the value was less. VoiceStream was renamed T-Mobile USA
T-Mobile USA
T-Mobile USA, Inc. is an American mobile-network operator, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, that provides wireless voice, messaging and data services in the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The company is the fourth-largest wireless carrier in the U.S. market with 33.73...
. He later became involved with cycling by founding High Road Sports Inc., which managed T-Mobile Team (both men's and women's) until 2007.
After the Operación Puerto scandal touched big names of the men's team such as Jan Ullrich
Jan Ullrich
Jan Ullrich is a German former professional road bicycle racer. In 1997, he was the first German to win the Tour de France. He went on to take five second places and a fourth in 2004 and third in 2005. He is considered one of the best time-trialists in the history of the sport...
and Óscar Sevilla
Oscar Sevilla
Óscar Miguel Sevilla Ribera , nicknamed El Niño, is a Spanish professional road bicycle racer. He is a climber with a pedigree in stage races, having finished in the top ten of the Tour de France and Vuelta a España several times...
, and following disputes among riders and managing staff, there were major changes in both the team's roster and management, and Stapleton was appointed team manager.