Nike suspends contract with Watson

Nike suspended its endorsement contract with Deshaun Watson amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the Texans quarterback. “We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson,” Nike said in a statement released Wednesday. “We will continue to closely monitor the situation.” Watson has been accused of sexual assault or harassment in lawsuits filed by 22 women. One of those women, Ashley Solis, said Tuesday during a news conference that she was assaulted and traumatized when she tried to give Watson a massage in March 2020. Watson’s attorney, Rusty Hardin, has called the allegations “meritless.” The Houston Police Department said last week it was investigating Watson after someone had filed a report with the agency about Watson. One of the league’s top QBs, Watson led the NFL in yards passing last season. He signed a four-year, $156 million contract extension last offseason, but he has become unhappy with the direction of the team. Watson requested a trade in January.