P&G, Under Armour, And Hershey's May End Sponsorships Of USA Gymnastics
P&G, Under Armour, And Hershey's May End Sponsorships Of USA Gymnastics
Three of USA Gymnastics' top sponsors reportedly are planning to end their hefty sponsorships in 2018: Proctor and Gamble, Under Armour, and Hershey’s.

Amidst the chaos that continues to plague USA Gymnastics as the program continues to wade through the Larry Nassar scandal, three of the organization’s top sponsors plan to end their hefty sponsorships in 2018: Proctor and Gamble, Under Armour, and Hershey’s, according to ESPN.
The sponsors are choosing to go in a different direction after a tumultuous year since reports surfaced of USA Gymnastics’ negligence in dealing with sexual abuse by its former national team doctor.
Following Nassar’s 60-year sentencing for child pornography charges, USA Gymnastics filed a motion to dismiss the claims of all the gymnasts against them, writing that they had "no legal duty to protect plaintiffs from Nassar's criminal conduct.”
It seems that Proctor and Gamble cannot and will not stand behind an organization that doesn’t align with its ethical standards.
P&G told ESPN that they will be reevaluating their partnership with USA Gymnastics in the spring “in light of our longer term priorities and continued actions on their part.”
The statement included mention that P&G wants to “ensure all voices who have been affected by abuse have been heard and that USAG takes all measures necessary to address such vitally important issues."
Three victims of Nassar — Jamie Dantzscher, Jeanette Antolin, and Jessica Howard — released a statement about P&Gs decision.
"Procter & Gamble and Kellogg's have decided they can no longer support an organization which refuses to take responsibility for the crimes committed by their national team doctor and their failure to warn others of his criminal conduct."
Additionally, Under Armour, which provides performance apparel and footwear for USA Gymnastics athletes, will be ending its eight-year deal signed in 2013 more than two and a half years early.
Regarding Hershey's sponsorship, a source said on Friday that there have been no serious renewal negotiations with just 16 days left on the contract.
John Manly, the main lawyer in the scandal who currently represents 106 of Nassar's accusers, believes that the USA Gymnastics sponsors are acting out of a shared understanding that what is happening is deeply wrong.
"Sponsors of USA Gymnastics are normally marketing their product to children and their families," he said.
"Our country might be deeply divided politically, but one thing everyone is united on is their opinion of sexual abuse. It is vile and unacceptable, and no corporation wants to be associated with that."
USA Gymnastics told ESPN, ”We value our longstanding partnerships with all of our corporate partners, and we look forward to working together with them to make a positive difference in our athletes' lives."
For now, USA Gymnastics has a long road ahead as it works to transform the culture from the inside out and work towards a safer future for every gymnast.