Nike drops Pacquiao after anti-gay comments

MANILA, Philippines - Nike just did it.

True to its slogan, sports apparel giant Nike knocked out boxing icon Manny Pacquiao from the company’s roster of endorsers over his controversial statement against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

Pacquiao appeared to shrug off the move and said he would find another provider of sports apparel and gear.

“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,” the company said in a statement yesterday.

“We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao,” it added.

The statement was issued days after Pacquiao issued a controversial statement in an interview for “Bilang Pilipino,” the election coverage of TV5 and The STAR, a portion of which was uploaded online last Monday.

Pacquiao, the Sarangani congressman running for the Senate in the May elections, said “animals are better” than humans in distinguishing gender.

He said “common sense” dictated against same-sex relationships. “It’s common sense.

Do you see animals mating with the same sex? Animals are better because they can distinguish male from female,” he said.

On Tuesday night, Pacquiao – with his arms crossed – issued an apology and clarification over his statements but maintained his stand against same sex marriage.

“I’m sorry for comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I’ve hurt,” Pacquiao said in a video post on Instagram.

Pacquiao said he was not condemning homosexuals but was standing by his conservative Christian faith.

“I love you all with the love of the Lord. I am praying for you.”

Pacquiao was wearing a Nike shirt when he issued the apology.

Costly mistake

Pacquiao’s disparaging comments about gays have cost him a contract with Nike and it may not be the only endorsement he could lose.

While Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum scramble at damage control, the boxing promoter personally disagreed with the Filipino boxing icon.

“What he’s saying is diametrically opposed to what I believe,” said Arum, who is promoting Pacquiao’s upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley.

“I’m in favor of gay rights and same sex marriage. I’m apologetic personally to the gay movement in the United States.”

Gay rights campaigners in the Philippines welcomed Nike’s move yesterday.

“Philippine LGBT and allied groups plus Nike’s enlightened stand has struck down the fundamentalist posturing of a bigot who wants to be a senator of the land,” said Danton Remoto, head of Ang Ladlad, a gay rights political party.

Pacquiao’s comments were greeted with revulsion in the US, where same-sex marriage is enshrined in law following a historic Supreme Court ruling.

Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete in the NBA, dismissed Pacquiao as “bigoted.”

“I lost all respect for you,” Collins wrote on Twitter. “Bigoted people like you (& yes you are one) should never hold an office in politics.”

The fallout between Pacquiao and Nike happened just hours after an online petition urged the company to sever its ties with the boxing legend.

Started by New York-based Filipino Aries de la Cruz, the petition urged Nike executives to disassociate itself with the Sarangani congressman.

“We call upon Nike to stand with the global LGBT community to send a strong and clear message of respect, inclusion, and tolerance for all athletes, gay or straight, as well as their fans and consumers,” read the petition.

Following the announcement of Nike, De la Cruz challenged Pacquiao to meet with activists and advocates to discuss the Philippines and the LGBT community.

“If Congressman Pacquiao does not respond by noon Friday, PST (Pacific Standard Time), we will be targeting FOOT LOCKER for the #DropPacman campaign,” it said.

He could lose more

Arum said Pacquiao is an evangelical Christian who believes that homosexuality is wrong, and that he was trying to win votes in the Philippines, where the issue of same sex marriage has not been decided.

“What he said is completely for home consumption for Filipinos wrestling with the question of legalizing same sex marriage,” Arum said.

In addition to his campaign for the Senate, Pacquiao is currently training for the April 9 fight in Las Vegas against Bradley in what he says will be his last bout. Arum said he could lose some other fight sponsors because of the remarks.

Pacquiao has not fought since losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. last May in the richest fight ever. Pacquiao reportedly made more than $100 million for the fight, and is guaranteed $20 million to fight Bradley.

Arum said he expects some people not to buy the fight on pay-per-view because of the comments, but that others might buy it because of them.

“Instead of promoting a fight with a fighter I’m promoting a fight with a politician,” Arum said.

“It’s like if Donald Trump was a boxer and I was promoting Donald Trump when he was running for president. I would be killed by the media for all the stupid statements he is making.”

Sports analyst Ronnie Nathanielsz said there was a genuine risk Pacquiao would lose other international endorsement deals following Nike’s action.

“It will hit him in the pocket for sure,” Nathanielsz said.

The Nike endorsement, whose terms were not disclosed, was Pacquiao’s most prominent sponsorship deal.

Forbes.com magazine put his earnings for 2015 at $160 million including $12 million from endorsements.

‘Not bothered’

Pacquiao’s camp, on the other hand, said the boxer respects the decision of Nike, according to a GMA news report.

A TV reporter covering Pacquiao’s training in General Santos City said the boxer was “not bothered” by the incident. –AP, Mike Frialde, Marvin Sy, Jose Rodel Clapano