Nike finds Pacquiao's same-sex marriage view "abhorrent", ends partnership

PBA (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Despite Manny Pacquiao's public apology, Nike did not sit well with his statement about same-sex marriage.

The apparel brand officially ended its partnership with Pacquiao after the former eight-division boxing champion and current basketball playing coach drew flak for his take on the said issue.

"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 an official statement on Thursday (Philippine Time) explaining its decision to cut its ties with Pacquiao.

Pacquiao, a current congressman and a senatorial aspirant, made an analogy between human and animals when he was asked by TV5 about same-sex marriage, saying that a man marrying another man and a woman marrying a fellow woman is nastier than a relationship among animals.

The said statement made many LGBT community members and pro-LGBT rights advocates upset with TV host Boy Abunda madly saying his disgust in his nightly entertainment show on ABSCBN.

Pacquiao issued an apology on Tuesday, a day after the video of the said interview was posted online.

Pacquiao will make his swan song against Tim Bradley in a non-title fight on April 10.

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