Nike has suspended its relationship with Hockey Canada amid an ongoing scandal of how the sports activities physique has dealt with sexual assault allegations.
“After additional assessment of Hockey Canada’s response, we’ve suspended our relationship with the federation and paused our assist,” Nike stated in a press release to CTV News on Friday. “We’ll proceed to watch the scenario and await extra info concerning Hockey Canada’s actions to deal with the findings in these investigations and create a protected setting for all athletes.”
Hockey Canada has been underneath hearth for weeks because it was revealed the game’s governing physique has paid money settlements to victims of alleged sexual assaults.
“Nike believes sport ought to create a protected, supportive setting for all athletes. We’re deeply involved by the continued stories round Hockey Canada,” Nike stated. “We consider important and substantive motion is required to assist athletes and rework hockey for future generations.”
On Thursday, Hockey Canada’s board of administrators referred to as an emergency assembly underneath mounting strain from prime company sponsors, political leaders and provincial organizations stemming from the group’s obvious unwillingness to deal with its dealing with of alleged sexual assaults.
Hockey Canada has rejected requires a change in management.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau advised Thursday if the nationwide hockey governing physique continues to withstand calls to deal with its dealing with of sexual assault claims and funding, the group could possibly be changed.
“It is inconceivable that people at Hockey Canada proceed to dig in. It’s not like there’s one thing terribly particular concerning the folks at Hockey Canada, which means they’re the one folks within the nation that may run a company like this,” Trudeau stated. “There must be wholesale change. They must do it. They want to appreciate that if now we have to create a company—eliminate Hockey Canada and create a company referred to as ‘Canada Hockey’ as a substitute, folks will take a look at doing that.”
Nike joins a lot of organizations and sponsors, to the likes of Canadian Tire and Tim Hortons, to halt dealings with the sports activities physique.