So seeing one of the world's big international sportswear conglomerates lay this particular question to rest is a big deal because it goes to the heart of one of the reasons that athletes might choose not to come out publicly. Remember, people can still be fired for being gay, lesbian or transgender in 30 states here in the United States. Therefore Adidas warrants that this agreement will neither be terminated nor modified in case the athlete comes out to the public as a member of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community. Adidas sponsorship contracts will now have a clause that reads:Īdidas acknowledges and adheres to the principles of diversity, as this is a central part of the Adidas Group philosophy. At an Adidas-sponsored conference earlier this month titled "Team Pride: Levelling the LGBT Playing Field," Adidas CFO Robin Stalker announced that the company is cool if any of the athletes it sponsors should come out publicly. That is why Adidas' declaration is a perfect, positive contrast, because some things that shouldn't be hard to say in public might now be just a little easier for LGBT athletes.
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Saying something as offensive as Pacquiao's comment should have consequences, and now it clearly does. "We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."Īthletes get big money to represent companies, and companies have expectations for how they want to be represented. Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community," a Nike spokesperson said in a statement released to the media. "We find Manny Pacquiao's comments abhorrent. The move comes just months before he is supposed to step inside the ring for his last fight on April 9.
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Nike made its own statement by terminating its long-term endorsement deal with boxer Manny Pacquiao after he said gay and lesbian couples were worse than animals while campaigning against marriage equality in his run for a senate seat in the Philippines. Adidas and Nike both took huge steps to redefine their sense of responsibility as corporate citizens where lesbian, gay and transgender issues are concerned.Īdidas announced it was changing all of its endorsement deals to encourage LGBT athletes to come out publicly without fear of losing their contracts. But this month, perhaps the biggest merit belongs not to the players on the field but to the companies that clothe them.
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By virtue of their simple, relentless meritocracy, sports have always been a vehicle for inclusion.