Things keep getting worse for Deshaun Watson, who is now facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct during massages. Beyond his tarnished image and a potential criminal case to contend with (the Houston Police Department launched an investigation following a complaint earlier this month), Watson is also facing financial repercussions with Nike suspending its endorsement of the 25-year-old Texans star until further notice.
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson,” the company wrote in a statement obtained by CNBC’s Jabari Young. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Watson, last year’s NFL leader in passing yards with 4,823, requested a trade shortly after the season ended, though those discussions have largely been put on hold amid the quarterback’s continuing legal drama. Ashley Solis and Lauren Baxley have each come forward as plaintiffs with both represented by Houston attorney Tony Buzbee. The other accusers have yet to be identified by name.
The Texans have stayed largely silent since misconduct allegations against Watson began surfacing last month, only offering tepid acknowledgments of the situation (GM Nick Caserio touched on it briefly in a podcast episode while CEO Cal McNair hit the usual notes in a boilerplate statement to season ticket-holders). Many, including ESPN’s Molly Qerim, have called on Roger Goodell to place Watson on the commissioner’s exempt list while the NFL conducts its investigation, though obviously the league has yet to take that step.
With Nike suspending its relationship with Watson, another of his sponsors, Beats by Dre (an electronics brand specializing in headphones), could soon follow suit. If Watson, who signed a four-year, $160-million extension with the team last summer, is unavailable for the Texans this season, former Bills and Chargers QB Tyrod Taylor would assume his starting role. Houston is not in a position to draft a high-profile quarterback after trading its first-round pick to Miami as part of the return package for Pro Bowl tackle Laremy Tunsil.
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