Cam Newton lost one of his sponsorships today in the wake of his comments to a female reporter.
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Jordan Rodrigue, a reporter for the Charlotte Observer, asked Cam about wide receiver Devin Funchess' routes. Cam responded to the question by saying, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”
He received plenty of backlash for his comments immediately after the words left his mouth and the criticisms are still pouring in today.
According to a report by ESPN's Darren Rovell, Dannon, maker of the Oikos yogurt brand, has informed the Panthers QB that they'll no longer be working with him.
Michael Neuwirth, a spokesperson for Dannon said in a statement,
"We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton towards 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."
Although, according to ESPN, Cam Newton's marketing agent, Carlos Fleming of WME/IMG, says that the company did not sever its active endorsement deal with his client, "nor do they have the grounds to." Dannon is pulling all Cam Newton ads and will not use him in the future, but they will still have to pay him until his contract expires.
The reporter who asked the question, Jourdan Rodrigue, tweeted that she spoke with Cam after the press conference and "it was worse."
She also released a statement regarding Cam's comments which reads,
"This afternoon, I did my job as an NFL beat writer and asked Cam Newton a question about one of his receivers. I was dismayed by his response, which not only belittled me but countless other women before me and beside me who work in similar jobs," Rodrigue said. "I sought Mr. Newton out as he left the locker room a few minutes later. He did not apologize for his comments."
