Manny Pacquiao loses Nike endorsement deal after comments on same-sex couples

After a series of comments against same-sex marriage, Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao has lost his endorsement deal with Nike.

Earlier this week, Pacquiao called his opposition to same-sex marriage “common sense” as he runs for the Philippines Senate.

“Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?” he was quoted as telling TV5 Network. “If you have male-to-male or female-to-female (relationships), then people are worse than animals.”

Pacquiao, who is already a member of the Philippines House of Representatives, later issued an apology for comparing homosexual couples to animals. However, he still insisted that he does not approve of same-sex marriage.

Now, ESPN is reporting that Nike ended its deal with Pacquiao.

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

Pacquiao has also appeared in commercials for Nestle and Wonderful Pistachios. The companies told USA Today that they do not have deals with him at the moment.

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