Nike suspends sponsorship of Deshaun Watson amid sexual assault allegations

“We are profoundly concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the circumstance,” Nike said in its announcement.

Twenty-two women have filed suits against Watson within the last month which allege”a disturbing pattern” of behavior during massage and treatment sessions.

On Tuesday, Ashley Solis publicly spoke about her allegations, saying Watson”robbed” her from the feeling that she had been curing people as a massage therapist.

Watson’s brand partnerships also include Rolex, Beats by Dre and neighborhood partnerships with H-E-B and Reliant Energy. In addition, he joined Lefty’s, a cheesesteak franchise, starting a restaurant in Houston near NRG Stadium in 2020.

The NFL has established an investigation to Watson under its private conduct policy, and NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy on Tuesday called the allegations from the quarterback”deeply troubling.” The Houston Police Department additionally comes with an open investigation to Watson, without specifying what he’s been accused of.

Watson has openly denied any wrongdoing, and Rusty Hardin, whose law firm is representing Watson, said last month he considers”any allegation which Deshaun forced a woman to commit a sexual activity is totally false.” Hardin said in a statement last week he and Watson will”completely cooperate with the Houston Police Department.”

In reaction to Tuesday’s press conference, Hardin’s law firm said in a statement that Tony Buzbee’s law firm, which is representing the plaintiffs,”sought $100,000 in hush money on behalf of Ms. Solis to quietly settle the allegations per month until he filed the initial lawsuit.”

Last week, 18 girls released statements through Hardin, stating that they have worked together with the Texans quarterback which he”never made them feel uneasy or demanded anything beyond the scope of a massage.”

Watson’s lawyer said the statements were voluntary and were against girls who have collectively”worked with Deshaun over 130 times within the past five decades.”

On Tuesday, Buzbee said one of those girls who gave one of those statements sent a direct message concerning Watson stating she ceased working with him because she was”hearing too much stuff about him messing with different people.”

“That’s two unique stories,” Buzbee said. “Now, am I suggesting the 18 women had bad experiences? I don’t know. Am I suggesting there is a reason they came forward? I don’t understand. That’s a matter for you to inquire. However, what I do know is what was said publicly by this one individual and what was stated individually were two entirely different things.”