5 Minutes Aug: Jannik Sinner ends the contract with Astronomer after the CEO Andy Scandal

At 18:00 on Saturday 19 July 2025, Jannik Sinner, the Italian tennis champion returning from the triumphant victory to Wimbledon 2025, announced decisively the termination of his sponsorship contract with the Astronomer technological company. The news, released through a press release and a post on X only five minutes ago, follows the scandal that overwhelmed the company’s managing director, Andy Byron, surprised to attempt an extramarital relationship with Kristin Cabot, a subordinate employee, during a Coldplay concert in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on July 16. With a strong and clear message, Sinner said: “We Will Stand by and Protect Mother – No Matter What”, a statement that seems to be a clear support for the wife of Byron, Megan Kerrigan, and to all the mothers affected by similar situations.

The scandal that triggered the decision

The offending episode took place on Wednesday evening during the Coldplay concert, when the “Kiss Cam” framed Byron and Cabot in an intimate moment, with the CEO embraced his colleague from behind. Realizing that he was taken up on a giant screen in front of thousands of spectators, the two tried to hide, a gesture that fueled immediate speculations on an inappropriate relationship. Coldplay Frontman Chris Martin commented with irony: “Either they are having a relationship, or they are very shy”, unaware of having involuntarily exposed a potential scandal. Byron, married to Megan Kerrigan and father of two children, and Cabot, Astronomer’s Chief People Officer since November 2024, found themselves at the center of a media turbine, with videos of the moment that have accumulated millions of views on TikTok and X.

Sinner’s position

Sinner, 24, motivated his decision with an ethical commitment, underlining his refusal to associate himself with a company whose leaders seem to have betrayed integrity values. “I cannot support an organization that questioned respect for families,” he added in the press release, emphasizing his support for mothers like Megan Kerrigan, who removed her husband’s surname from her social profiles and deactivated her Facebook account after the accident. The phrase “We Will Stand by and Protect Mothers—No Matter What” hit the mark, earning the admiration of fans and triggering debates on X, where hashtags like #sinnersandsup and #astronomerscandal quickly fell in trend.

Impact on astronomer and reactions

Astronomer, a technological startup with an evaluation of over one billion dollars, replied by suspending Byron and Cabot waiting for an internal investigation, but Sinner’s move could have lasting consequences. The tennis’ contract with the company, estimated at around 3 million euros per year, was part of an advertising campaign launched in 2024 to promote Astronomer data engineering solutions. The loss of Sinner, a prominent athlete after his victory in Wimbledon, could push other sponsors to reconsider their bonds with the company. Meanwhile, social media are divided: some defend Sinner for its moral position, while others criticize the speed of his decision, suggesting that it may have been influenced by public pressure.

The context of Sinner’s career

Sinner’s choice comes in a moment of great personal success. After conquering Wimbledon 2025 by beating Carlos Alcaraz, the number 1 in the world is experiencing an unprecedented ascent, with an increasingly solid growth base and an increasingly solid public image. His decision to cut bridges with Astronomer strengthens the narration of an athlete aware of his social responsibilities, an aspect that could attract new sponsors, such as Nike or Rolex, known to enhance athletes with strong values. For Italy, this Sinner consolidated gesture as a symbol of sporting integrity.

What will happen now?

With the finished contract, Sinner could face a temporary break in his commercial partnerships, but his move has already opened a global dialogue on corporate ethics and leaders’ responsibilities. Astronomer will face the consequences of the scandal, with shareholders and partners who could demand clear answers. Meanwhile, the fans wonder: will byron return to the leadership of the company or will he be forced to resign? And will Sinner soon find a new sponsor at the height of his status? While the investigations continue and the media attention remains high, one thing is certain: Jannik Sinner has transformed a moment of crisis into an opportunity to affirm his principles.