February 9, 2007 – The Discovery Channel will not renew sponsorship of its professional cycling team after the end of this season, reports USA Today. The Discovery Channel has sponsored the team (formerly the U.S. Postal Service Professional Cycling Team) since 2004 and stepped up to title sponsor from 2005 through 2007.

Team Discovery’s co-owner, Lance Armstrong, won seven Tour de France titles with the team before retiring. Last year was Discovery’s first season without Armstrong as captain and the squad’s subsequent Tour de France performance was lackluster.

In an interview with USA Today, Armstrong’s business partner and attorney, Bill Stapleton, said The Discovery Channel’s move comes with a change in the company’s management. On Monday, David Zaslav, new Discovery Communications president and CEO, ousted network president Billy Campbell. Campbell played a major role in securing the team’s original sponsorship deal.

According to Stapleton, the hunt for a new title sponsor has begun and may even be announced before the season is up.