I think that in some ways that is probably true, and in others it's not. In the sense that "syphoning" has a negative connotation, I think maybe not. Lance is probably eyes wide open about what is going on here, and I wouldn't doubt if he gave final approval and encouraged it. Remember, Lance is well connected, and no doubt values highly his associations with the connected. He probably sees himself more and more as part of the "in" crowd of very successful people.

Lance is a world famous athlete, philanthropist, and motivational speaker- influential enough for people like Schwarzenegger to want to associate themselves with LA. That makes him a pretty important guy to some people and maybe even to himself. He has fans, that gives him influence, and that gives him power. He may see this as using his influence to help out another very successfull person whom he may happen to like or possibly even agree with politically, not as being used by someone. In that sense, I don't think it's necessarily disgusting, just reality. We all do that on some level.