Gold's Gym Faces Backlash After CEO Gives to GOP Group

[RamboLiberal]

Source: CBS News

Four Gold's Gym franchises in the San Francisco Bay Area are abandoning their brand after learning that their parent company's owner made a large, private donation to American Crossroads, the conservative political group that backs candidates opposed to expanding gay rights.

Billionaire Robert Rowling, CEO of TRT Holdings, which owns Gold's, has given more than $2 million this election cycle to American Crossroads, the third party organization with ties to former Bush strategist Karl Rove.

Reports of Rowling's significant donations to American Crossroads angered some franchise owners, who said the donations betrayed Gold's strong ties to the gay community.

"Gold's Gym San Francisco has long been a pillar of the gay community. We will continue to be," Don Dickerson, the director of operations for Gold's Gym Bay Area, wrote in a Facebook note. "It is very unfortunate that the CEO of TRT Holdings has chosen this course of action. We do not support it in any way."



Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20020763-503544.html?tag=stack

---

Good for the franchise owners who drop the brand!

[midnight]

1. Not such a savy business move.....

[Taverner]

7. Not so fast - they can shop around and perhaps get a better deal

From World Gym, 24 Hr Fitness, Anytime or one of the many others

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Kudos to those who stand up for what they believe. Rowling is an idiot.

[Cronus Protagonist]

3. If they drop the brand, they'll be dropping the franshise and tossing away equity

They should sell the franchise to someone else and keep the gym and gear and people.

[L.Torsalo]

4. ..and dropping the franchise

does NOT mean they lose the equipment, clientele or reputation they have developed as businesses. What a mentality to believe brand loyalty is superior to morality. Pity.

[Cronus Protagonist]

8. ummm people money for the franchise, which is a right to use the name

in a given area or location. That is what they pay for, mostly, and paperwork, services, etc. When they drop the brand, they would also be dropping the franchise, and all that goes with it, software, equipment, banners, advertising, etc., which I'm sure cost a bundle.

And who is this person who believes that brand loyalty is superior to morality that you have pity for? The mouse in your pocket?

[RamboLiberal]

9. And some of the brand name fitness clubs actually have a low rep

IMHO an already established club in a good location might do just as well running as an independent. A lot depends on client loyalty, staff, price, ammenities of the club and having a good location.

[LisaM]

5. Interesting

While there's not as much as I like, there is some fallout (as with the Target donation) for some of these outfits.

[somone]

6. Sounds like Gold's Gym would rather have teabaggers as customers

Teabaggers love to go to the gym.