Antonio Brown is no longer a Nike athlete amid sexual assault allegations

A Nike spokesperson said that the company has severed ties with the New England Patriots receiver, who currently faces sexual assault allegations by a former trainer.

The Nike Tech Trainer “Antonio Brown” was released in February. A search for the shoe on the company’s website on Thursday returned a message that the product is no longer available.

BREAKING: Antonio Brown addresses the media for first time since a rape allegation surfaced. He did not respond to a question about that allegation, saying he's "here to just focus on ball." #WBZ pic.twitter.com/ftLYVdC4qJ

— Liam Martin (@LiamFromBoston) September 19, 2019

Last year, Antonio Brown boasted he had a “huge Nike deal.” In February, the company came out with an Antonio Brown trainer. Today, a Nike spokesman says “Antonio Brown is not a Nike athlete.”

Endorsement deals with major brands contain “morals clauses.” They make it very easy for a company to drop an athlete who attracts controversy that damages their brand or the company’s brand. Athlete doesn’t have to be “guilty.” It’s all about the controversy.