Nike drops Manny Pacquiao over homosexual remarks

Pacquiao recently appeared on television in his native country, the Philippines, where he compared gay people to animals.

It didn’t take long for Nike to announce it was severing its relationship with Pacquiao, The New York Times reported:

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

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

Pacquiao, who is also a Filipino politician, appeared on television as part of his senatorial election campaign. His comments drew international attention:

It’s common sense. Will you see any animals where male is to male and female is to female?

The animals are better. They know how to distinguish male from female. If we approve [of] male on male, female on female, then man is worse than animals.