February 17, 2016
Nike Reportedly to Drop Manny Pacquiao After Anti-Gay Remarks
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TMZ is reporting Nike may drop boxing star Manny Pacquiao in the wake of the recent anti-gay comments he made.
Though not official yet, sources told the website the retail company's officials are allegedly disturbed over the athlete's remarks and intend to nix Pacquiao for good. TMZ reports there have been several discussions about the issue and that Nike has removed all Pacquiao-related merchandise from its online store.
Pacquiao, 37, has appeared in a number of ads for Nike, and TMZ points out he's had a relationship with the company since 2006.
The boxer made headlines this week after drawing flak for saying same-sex relationships are "worse than animals."
"It's just common sense," he said while in the Philippines, where he is a member of the House of Representatives. "Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?"
He added that animals were better because they recognize gender differences, and "if you have male-to-male or female-to-female (relationships), then people are worse than animals."
A day later, Pacquiao apologized on social media.
"I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals," he said in a Facebook video. "Please forgive me for those I've hurt."
