Nike Cuts Boxer Manny Pacquiao Endorsement Deal After Controversial Anti-Gay Remarks

Manny Pacquiao who is famously known for losing to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and running for office in his home country, Philippines has landed himself in some hot water. The boxer has reportedly lost his endorsement deal contract with Nike after making controversial gay remarks.

In the past the company has been quick to terminate contracts with many athletes and Pacquiao is not exempt. Over the past couple of years the company has cut ties with many athletes ranging from domestic assault scandals and the use of performance enhancing drugs.

According to TMZ, Nike has decided to end their deal with the boxer after they got wind of his comments about the gay community.

The site reports that the boxer tried to salvage his deal with Nike but of course they were not trying to hear it.

"Nike strongly opposes discrimination of any kind and has a long history of supporting and standing up for the rights of the LGBT community, Nike reps tell TMZ. "We no longer have a relationship with Manny Pacquiao."

Pacquiao's comments first came about wile he was being interviewed by a television station earlier this week. During his interview, he made comments about the gay community and compared them to animals.

"Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations," Pacquiao says to the television station. "If you have male-to-male or female-to-female relationships, then people are worse than animals."

 I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. I still stand on my belief that I'm against same sex marriage because of what the Bible says, but I'm not condemning LGBT. I love you all with the love of the Lord. God Bless you all and I'm praying for you.

A video posted by Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) on Feb 16, 2016 at 2:35am PST

After the world got wind of his comments, the boxer quickly went on social media to apologize. He asked for forgiveness but of course the damage was already done.

I'm sorry for hurting people by comparing homosexuals to animals. Please forgive me for those I've hurt. God Bless! pic.twitter.com/bqjRcWqp8R

— Manny Pacquiao (@mannypacquiao) February 16, 2016

 The boxer's promoter, Bob Arum, CEO of Top Rank actually sided with Nike.

"If I was running Nike, I would have mad the same decision they did," Arum tells ESPN.

While Pacquiao is gearing to run for Senate in the Philippines, this scandal has not hurt his political career- in fact it has helped. According to ESPN, polls in his home country show that he is a top candidate for a Senate seat.

MStars News wants to know what you think. Do you agree with Nike for terminating their contract with Manny Pacquiao? Let us know down below!