Neymar and Nike shocked the world in 2020 when the sportswear manufacturing company decided to part ways with the 29-year-old Brazilian footballer after 15 years of partnership.
When the announcement was made that Neymar and Nike would no longer be working together, the sportswear giant did not disclose why the American company decided to end Neymar’s sponsorship deal.
About a year after the famous split, the company confirmed that Neymar and Nike ended their relationship due to the sexual assault probe the Brazilian was facing.
The victim of the sexual assault officially reported the case which happened in 2016 to the company in 2018. Then, Nike decided to run an independent investigation into the case, but Neymar allegedly failed to cooperate with the company during the process.
Hence, the American company had to end its relationship with the Paris Saint Germain talisman in August 2020.
In a statement Nike issued on Thursday, May 27, the company said it took the company long to confirm the reason for the split because the company wanted to have “supporting facts” before making a statement.
Nike’s statement read in parts: “It would be inappropriate for Nike to make an accusatory statement without being able to provide supporting facts.
“Nike ended its relationship with the athlete because he refused to co-operate in a good faith investigation of credible allegations of wrongdoing by an employee.”
“We continue to respect the confidentiality of the employee and also recognize that this has been a long and difficult experience for her.”
Statement from Nike about cutting ties with soccer star Neymar: pic.twitter.com/xPoiAeR2Tp
— Reggie Wade (@ReggieWade) May 28, 2021
The sexual assault case which ended the relationship between Neymar and Nike was in court in 2019. Then, Neymar insisted that he didn’t rape the victim.
After a bit of up and down, the case was dropped and Neymar continued to enjoy his football and fame off the pitch.
The Brazil international stunned the world when he landed a multi-million dollar deal with Puma, another sportswear-making company, two weeks after Nike terminated his contract.
Also, less than a year after the relationship between Neymar and Nike ended, the Brazilian extended his contract with PSG until June 2025.
