Actions have consequences. Who would’ve bloody well thought?
And Nike have built themselves up a handy little reputation of suffering no amount of shit for any amount of time when it comes to the athletes they sponsor.
So when boxer Manny Pacquiao – a Nike-sponsored athlete since 2006 – casually suggested that people in same-sex marriages and relationships are “worse than animals“ Nike didn’t exactly waste any time informing him where the bin is.
The sporting apparel giant announced today that Pacquiao’s sponsorship contract with the company has been summarily torn up. The move was confirmed by ESPN reporter Darren Rovell earlier today.
BREAKING: Nike has terminated its contract with Manny Pacquiao due to recent comments. Nike statement: pic.twitter.com/3xZ7e08EtU
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 17, 2016
Pacquiao has since apologised for the remarks – which were made in the course of his campaign to be elected Senator in his native Phillipines – stating in an Instagram post, “I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt. I still stand on my belief that I’m against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I’m not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I’m praying for you.”
But that was little comfort for Nike, who has already removed all Pacquiao-related merchandise from their stores.
Pacquiao now becomes the fifth athlete to lose a Nike sponsorship for external actions in the past three-and-a-half years, following Lance Armstrong, Ray Rice, Adrian Peterson, and Oscar Pistorious, which is as motley a crew as there ever has been.
Source: Variety.
Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty.
