Clint Lamb
Nike has suspended its endorsement deal with Deshaun Watson after mounting allegations of sexual misconduct. In a statement made to CNBC on Wednesday, a spokesperson for the top apparel company said Nike would be monitoring the situation moving forward.
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Nike said, via CNBC.
That decision comes less than 24 hours after the first woman to file a sexual misconduct lawsuit against Watson, Ashley Solis, came forward to tell her story publicly.
There continues to be a back-and-forth between Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, and the lawyer representing the alleged victims, Tony Buzbee. Following the press conference with Solis on Tuesday, Hardin released a statement saying Solis wanted $100,000.
That was quickly labeled “old news” by Buzbee, however.
As more details emerge surrounding the various lawsuits, things are beginning to look more and more bleak for the Houston Texans star quarterback. Since March 16, 22 massage therapists have come forward.
That’s not something Nike or any other company endorsing Watson can ignore.
Now, it should be noted that the endorsement is being suspended, not terminated. Therefore, the suspension could be temporary, pending the outcome of the lawsuits. But this is just the latest development in an unfortunate story, regardless of how it turns out.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.
So courageous, Nike! It only took 22 accusers for you to take a moral (amoral?) stand! We won’t even play the “what if he had been _____” game.
Why Nike? Remember, it’s only the Alt-Right bringing this matter to the forefront, and they’re all supremacists and must be placed in re-education camps. (The pendulum is swinging away from the fringe Left…)
Way to take a stand Nike!
Death by a thousand cuts; that outcome is a very real possibility. Nike has taken a side, albeit moderately (“monitoring the situation”) and now other sponsors have the okay to act as well.
As his accusers start to speak publicly that damage cannot be undone. Watson could go before the cameras with Rusty Hardin by his side, but it would only damage him even more, and if he were to respond to questions then the chit could hit the fan big time. Shopping 50 therapists is one of the things recently made public. This obviously isn’t about rehabbing a groin, or a core.
Innocent until proven guilty – absolutely – but this is a national story, and if Team Watson’s strategy is rope-a-dope, well Watson needs new legal help.
Roger The Dodger on Park Avenue will soon have to get off his pot because this chit ain’t gonna flush.
If they don’t care about the Uyghurs dying in their Chinese slave shops, why would they care about the antics of a serial rapist?
Good post!
when you are a black QB that the patrons of St. Colin are against, it may be time to start settling lawsuits because things are getting kind of hectic….
This will be the least of his problems sexual assaults are felony charges dude gunna be perp walked and locked up for a long time he’s a real menace to women
Don’t care…plus still rooting for Nike to go bankrupt.