Ryan Braun’s 65 game MLB suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal is set to cost the Brewers’ slugger over $3 million in salary down the stretch. However, the total financial loss for Braun could get a lot worse.
As Darren Rovell of ESPN first reported, Nike has cancelled their endorsement deals with Braun. The company was outfitting Braun in gear, including his shoes and batting gloves. The company also sold t-shirts with the slogans “Braun owns Milwaukee” and “Big Bat Like Braun.”
Nike is the latest in a long string of companies that have dropped Braun since he admitted to his PED use, and accepted his suspension from MLB. Braun has also lost deals with Muscle Milk, Wilson Sporting Goods and Kwik Trip.
It is unknown exactly how much Braun stands to lose with these endorsement cancellations, but it is certainly a substantial amount, in the millions of dollars. Analysts estimate it could double or triple the loss of his MLB salary that will be lost. However we shouldn’t feel too bad for Braun, who does keep the 5 year, $105 million contract extension he signed with the Brewers that kicks in next season.
Braun is the latest athlete dropped by Nike for PED use. The company also cancelled its sponsorship of Lance Armstrong earlier this year. In 2006, Nike dropped track coach Trevor Graham due to his association with PEDs. The company also dropped Michael Vick in 2006 following the dogfighting scandal but re-signed him when he returned to the NFL.
The company has made tough choices over the years though, keeping deals with Kobe Bryant in 2003 despite his rape charges (though not placing him in any ads for two years), and in Tiger Woods following the ending of his marriage and embarrassing revelations about his private life.
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