Ronaldo faces heat from his sponsors
Pressure built on Cristiano Ronaldo from his sponsors yesterday after Nike joined EA Sports in expressing its deep concern with the rape allegation facing the soccer star.
The five-time world player of the year has denied the claim. Late late night, he received public backing from his Italian club, Juventus, shortly after Nike issued its statement to The Associated Press.
Nike has had a contract with the 33-year-old Ronaldo, one of the wealthiest and most famous soccer players in the world, since 2003. The latest terms signed in 2016 are worth a reported $1 billion and Ronaldo has suggested that it was a deal “for life.”
But the Beaverton, Ore.-based apparel maker is troubled by the details emerging in a lawsuit filed last week in a Nevada state court by a woman who alleges she was raped by Ronaldo in Las Vegas in 2009.
“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Nike said in an emailed statement to the AP.
Earlier, Portugal’s national team left Ronaldo off its squad for a pair of upcoming matches.
He will miss Portugal’s second game in the UEFA Nations League at Poland on Oct. 11 and a friendly match in Glasgow against Scotland three days later. …
Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan scored two goals apiece to lead the United States past Mexico, 6-0, in the group stage opener for both teams at the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying tournament in Cary, N.C. …
England coach Gareth Southgate signed a new contract that will keep him in charge of the national team through to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Dad testifies to hoops corruption
The father of a top college basketball prospect has testified that his son was offered thousands of dollars to play at several major programs.
Brian Bowen Sr. testified at a federal trial in New York that aspiring agent Christian Dawkins told him he could get $50,000 to play at the University of Arizona, $150,000 to go to Oklahoma State or $100,000 to go to Creighton.
Bowen was testifying at the New York City trial of Dawkins and two other defendants accused of making secret payments to recruits’ families. …
The IOC has dropped the Turkish city of Erzurum from a 2026 Winter Olympic bidding contest.
Mickelson in hunt at PGA opener
Phil Mickelson had six straight birdies and shot a 7-under 65 to pull within 2 strokes of leader Sepp Straka in the PGA Tour’s season-opening Safeway Open in Napa, Calif.
Coming off a winless performance in the U.S. Ryder Cup loss to Europe, the 48-year-old Mickelson birdied Nos. 9-14 and closed with four straight pars on the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa. …
Tyrrell Hatton bounced back from a poor start, including a wayward tee shot that struck a spectator on the head, to register a 2-under 70 and move within 2 strokes of the first-round lead at the Dunhill Links Championship in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Marcus Fraser of Australia and Matt Wallace of England shot 68s in high winds at Carnoustie and St. Andrews, respectively. …
Pulitzer Prize-winning sports columnist Dave Anderson of The New York Times has died at 89.