Procter & Gamble may drop USA Gymnastics sponsorship after sex abuse scandal
CINCINNATI — In the wake of the sex abuse scandal that has rocked USA Gymnastics, Procter& Gamble said Thursday it may drop its sponsorship of the organization.
Executives with the Cincinnati-based consumer giant told The Cincinnati Enquirer the company has concluded its partnership with USA Gymnastics but hasn't yet decided whether to renew the relationship. Since 2008, P&G (PG) has sponsored the Indianapolis-based organization that trains and selects athletes for the Olympics and other competitions.
"Our previous partnership terms with USAG have been fulfilled," said Damon Jones, P&G spokesman. "We will evaluate whether to renew our partnership next spring, in light of our longer-term priorities and continued actions on their (USA Gymnastics') part."
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Former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nasser was sentenced Dec. 7 to 60 years in prison on federal child pornography charges. He was sentenced to 20 years on each of three counts to which he's admitted with the sentences to be served consecutively. He has been accused of inappropriate conduct toward more than 140 girls and women, including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney and Gabby Douglas.
In addition to the federal child pornography charges, Nassar also pleaded guilty to 10 first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in Michigan. He'll be sentenced on those charges starting in January and faces at least 25 years in prison, with a maximum of life in prison.
The Orange County Register reported Thursday that Battle Creek, Mich.-based Kellogg's (K), another USA Gymnastics sponsor, also did not renew its sponsorship deal.
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The scandal at USA Gymnastics comes amid a wider wave of sexual abuse and harassment complaints that have swept business, entertainment and political circles and added fuel to the #MeToo movement of women speaking out against inappropriate behavior in 2017.
"We support the actions USA Gymnastics has taken thus far, including accepting the recommendations by an independent expert and hiring a new Safe Sport Director," Jones said. "In addition, we are supportive of the broader actions taking place via the USOC Safe Sport program as well as the Federal reform proposed by Senator Feinstein and others.
"We want to ensure all voices who have been affected by abuse have been heard and that USAG takes all measures necessary to address such vitally important issues," Jones concluded.
More:Larry Nassar sentenced to 60 years in federal child pornography case
P&G officials stressed their actions toward USA Gymnastics have no effect on the company's sponsorship of the Olympics or its multiple endorsement relationships with elite athletes, such as gold medalist Simone Biles.
In a statement to The Washington Post, a Kellogg's representative said the contract with USA Gymnastics ended in 2016. "At this point, we have not renewed but will assess the USAG for 2020 Summer Games," the statement said.
According to The Orange County Register, Procter & Gamble "replaced Visa as the name sponsor for the sport's national championships" before the 2013 season. Kellogg's sponsored nationwide tours featuring Olympic champions and medalists, the newspaper said.
USA Gymnastics, in a statement to The Orange County Register, said, "Although our contract for the last term with Kellogg's and Procter and Gamble ended in 2016 and 2017, respectively, we are exploring opportunities with both companies about joining with us in further building a culture of empowerment."
In November, P&G unveiled the latest installment of its "Thank You, Mom" advertising campaign in the run up to the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Gymnastics will next be part of the Olympic competition in summer 2020 in Tokyo.
Contributing: Matt Mencarini, Justin A. Hinkley and Beth LeBlanc, Lansing (Mich.) State Journal. Follow Alexander Coolidge on Twitter: @alexcoolidge
