Ethics in Business and Lance Armstrong

Ethics in business are actions that aren't required by law yet necessary for keeping businesses running, in terms of behavior towards others in the field.
Ethics are important to business because they affect its success. As mentioned before, ethics are not required by law. But if a business does something that disturbs its customers or sponsors, their income will decrease and may eventually result in bankrupt.
The issue in Lance Armstron affair was that a very successful, non-profit , cancer fighting organisation, Livestrong, lost its most supportive sponsors.The reason is that the main representative of this organization, Lance Armstrong, was accused of using performance-enhancing drugs.
Nike terminated its contract with Livestrong. However the " plan to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer". In other words, Nike left its options open; if Armstrong is proven to be a cheater, Nike will withdraw its support. But if the cyclist proves his innocence, Nike will go back to fully supporting Livestrong and Armstrong.
This action may be beneficial, since the organization itself still gets some money. Nike may also inspire other organizations such as Michelob Ultra, Trek Bicycle and Radio Shack to do the same.
I personally think that Armstrong's doings are, indeed, a big turnoff. As a chief operating officer of Burns Entertainment, Bob Williams, said "...fans don't take kindly to alleged cheaters enhancing their on-field experience". At the same time Lance Armstrong is the founder of a very successful non-profit organization who helped to raise $500 million over its operating years. Sponsors should realize that Armstrong's mistakes shouldn't affect people for whom this organization was build.