Nike ends sponsorship of Hockey Canada

OTTAWA –

Nike has permanently discontinued its sponsorship of Hockey Canada after the company temporarily suspended its support for the hockey organization following backlash over its handling of sexual assault allegations and funding settlements of these claims.

“Nike is no longer a sponsor of Hockey Canada,” reads the statement Nike sent to CTV News on Monday. “We will continue to provide on-ice products to Hockey Canada athletes as part of our partnership with the International Ice Hockey Federation, but our individual partnership with the federation has ended.”

The company last year joined other sponsors, such as Tim Hortons, Bank of Nova Scotia Chevrolet Canada and Telus, in suspending its sponsorship after Hockey Canada acknowledged it had used a reserve fund to settle several sexual assault claims, including a settlement. of $3.55 million related to a woman and eight members of Canada’s junior hockey team in 2018.

“Hockey Canada appreciates the longstanding partnership with Nike over more than two decades and respects their decision not to continue as a Hockey Canada partner,” a Hockey Canada spokesperson said on Monday.

Last year, several members of the Hockey Canada leadership were questioned before a federal commission about the organization’s actions, but initially ignored the federal government’s calls for the organization’s board and CEO to resign.

Nike stated at the time that it would continue to monitor the situation and await more information on the organization’s actions to create a safe environment for all athletes. Hockey Canada would not give the exact date the sponsorship ended.

Bauer, Hockey Canada’s main equipment supplier, was also among the companies that chose to pause sponsorship last October, but announced in early July that it would restore its funding after Hockey Canada appointed its new CEO, Katherine Henderson. . years as Head of Curling Canada.

“We believe now is the time for corporate partners, broadcast sponsors and community leaders to support Hockey Canada,” Mary-Kay Messier, vice president of global marketing at Bauer Hockey, said in a statement released July 4. , we all must continue to hold the organization accountable for creating and executing a new vision that reflects our Canadian communities and provides equitable and enriching experiences for all to play the game.

Hockey Canada also elected several new board members last December and pledged to implement several recommendations from former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell in his board review of the organization.

The federal government restored federal funding to the organization in April, with Sports Minister Pascale St-Onge asking the organization to report regularly to Sport Canada on progress.

Other companies that chose to permanently end their relationship with the hockey organization last year include Sobey’s parent company Empire Co Ltd. and Canadian Tire.