Climate activists attack Roger Federer for sponsorship deal
Roger Federer has contracted the anger of Swiss climate activists with an advertising contract. The hashtag #RogerWakeUpNow was created on Twitter for this, the maestro himself is aware of the delicate situation.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: Jan 10, 2020, 03:24 pm
Specifically, it is about an agreement between Federers and Credit Suisse, the second largest bank in Switzerland after UBS. Federer has been the face of Credit Suisse since 2009 and is expected to collect seven million Swiss francs (approx. 6.5 million euros) a year for the sponsorship deal.
The company is criticized because it damages the climate with its lending. In total, the bank is said to have allocated $ 57 billion to companies in the field of fossil energy generation.
“Federer makes a charity game and donates to Australia - but at the same time takes money from CS, the most climate-damaging bank in Switzerland. I think that's contradictory, "is about quotes a climate activist in mind.
The movement therefore demands that Federer end its involvement with Credit Suisse. “Become a climate champion and stop lending Credit Suisse your image as long as it finances the destruction of our future and our children,” is the demand.
A bank spokesman is quoted by Reuters as saying, “Stopping global warming is important. Credit Suisse respects freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic right. ”“ Illegal attacks ”on branches will not be tolerated, however. Activists stormed a Credit Suisse branch in November 2018 and played tennis there. A trials for trespassing started this week.
Roger Federer talks about the climate crisis
Federer himself commented on the climate crisis a few weeks ago. "Mirka and I definitely try to respect environmental principles at home and when traveling and to familiarize them with our children," he told Blick .
He compensates for the CO2 emissions of his flights with compensation payments. He felt only partially that he could not answer the question satisfactorily. "If I choose yes, I have to end my career immediately," he said.
And further: “For me as a good tennis player who travels a lot, the topic is very delicate. We live a completely abnormal life, I know that I cannot be a normal role model in this regard. I can hardly say to everyone: 'Be careful!' and then fly back to Australia. "