Cam Newton Loses Endorsement Deal Over Comment to Reporter

Cam Newton No. 1 of the Carolina Panthers throws a pass during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Oct. 1, 2017, in Foxboro, Mass. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Cam Newton, the quarterback for the Carolina Panthers, lost an endorsement deal after making a comment earlier this week to a reporter that she deemed “sexist.”

Newton this week laughed at a question fielded by Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue, saying it was “funny to hear a female talk about” about running wide receiver routes, ESPN reported.

Now, Dannon said that it will “no longer work with him.”

‘'We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton toward Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women. It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace. It’s simply not OK to belittle anyone based on gender. We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him,” a spokesman for the company told ESPN.

But despite the statement, Newton’s marketing agent, Carlos Fleming of WME/IMG, said that the company didn’t severe its active endorsement deal with the quarterback, “nor do they have the grounds to,” NFL.com reported.

Under Armour, Gatorade, Beats by Dre, and Buick issued comments since he made the comment.

Rodrigue tweeted several times about the comment, saying, “I don’t think it’s ‘funny’ to be a female and talk about routes. I think it’s my job.”

For his part, Newton hasn’t issued a statement after he made the comment.

The Carolina Panthers issued a statement on the matter.

“I have spoken with Jourdan and Cam and I know they had a conversation where he expressed regret for using those words,” the Panthers said. “We strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team.”

In the comments section of the YouTube video showing Newton’s comment, many users said it was a nonissue and one said that “people like her is why Donald Trump is president.”

Added one commenter: “I’m glad he did it.” Another said, “This is why feminists cannot be allowed to go near sports.”