Nike cuts ties with Manny Pacquiao after derogatory statements

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‘NIKE’ Cuts Ties with Manny Pacquiao After Derogatory Statements – www.philippinesilfestyle.com

Nike has terminated its endorsement contract with Manny Pacquiao after the Filipino boxer made several derogatory remarks about same-sex couples.

Nike gave a statement saying “We find Manny Pacquiao’s comments abhorrent. Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community.”

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Pacquiao’s recent comments on social media and news reports, confirms that he is no longer on Nike’s endorsement roster, loosing an eight year endorsement with the sneaker giant.

“Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?” Pacquiao said on a Filipino television station earlier this week. “If you have male-to-male or female-to-female [relationships], then people are worse than animals.”

Hours later, after Pacquiao realised his mistake, he offered his apologies over Twitter, he has yet to apologize in person or to any media outlet.

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“I’m sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals,” Pacquiao tweeted. “Please forgive me for those I hurt. God bless!”

In the tweet, Pacquiao had a video message in Filipino wearing a Nike shirt with the special logo the company has for him.

Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank, said he understood Nike’s decision.

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Since many of Nike’s Pacquiao items never reached the market, Pacquio was more of a billboard for the company and not a revenue stream.

Pacquiao now joins the likes of Oscar Pistorius, Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and Lance Armstrong – all dropped by Nike Inc. over the past four years.

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