Nike Ends Manny Pacquiao's Contract Over Remarks About Gays

By Bill Chappell

Published February 18, 2016 at 8:13 AM EST

Manny Pacquiao, pictured at the Asia Society in New York in October 2015, has created a firestorm with his comments about homosexuals.

Manny Pacquiao will need to look for a new apparel sponsor, after his remark that homosexuals are worse than animals led Nike to terminate its dealings with the boxer, who's also running for a Senate seat in the Philippines.

Anger over Pacquiao's comments led him to deliver an apology on Tuesday "for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals." But in that same statement, he also reiterated that he was merely going by "what the Bible says," and he repeated his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Late Wednesday, Nike issued a statement:

"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. We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."

The news was welcomed by basketball legend Magic Johnson, who tweeted, "I applaud Nike for terminating Manny Pacquiao's contract after his derogatory statements that gay people are worse than animals."

Johnson also said he won't be watching any more of the boxer's fights.

In addition to seeking a Senate seat, Pacquiao is training for an April 9 bout against Timothy Bradley Jr.