Topline
Skechers has terminated Jon Gruden's endorsement deal, the company announced Tuesday. This was less than 24 hours after Gruden resigned as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. There were reports that Gruden had sent homophobic and racist emails.
Jon Gruden, Raiders Head Coach, after a win over Los Angeles Chargers December 22, 2019, in... [+] Carson. Getty Images
The Key Facts
Skechers terminated Grudens contract immediately after the New York Times reported Monday that he had sent a series of emails dating back years. A spokesperson for the company Jennifer Clay stated to Forbes in a statement. USA Today first reported the news. Grudens endorsement deal was announced by the company in January. He appeared in a commercial a few months later, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal in April.
Important Quote
Clay stated that we believe it is crucial to take a stand against derogatory or racist comments and for inclusion.
Tangent
On Tuesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won their first Super Bowl in Gruden's 2000s coaching stint, announced that they will be removing Gruden from the team's Ring of Honor. This list includes prominent ex-coaches, players, and coaches. The team stated that while we recognize Jon Gruden's contribution on the field, Gruden's actions are against our core values.
Important Background
Gruden was the Raiders' coach from 2018 to Monday when he resigned. After the Times and Wall Street Journal discovered emails between Gruden and Bruce Allen, a former executive of Washington Football Team, and many other people, he was under fire. The Journal reported that Gruden used a racist cartoon to describe the Black head for the NFL Players Association ten years ago. Gruden used a homophobic slur for the description of Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner. He also criticized Goodell for allegedly forcing the Rams to draft openly gay Michael Sam and interrogated a player who knelt during the National Anthem.
Contra
Gruden spoke out to the Journal and apologized for his remarks about DeMaurice Smith, head of the NFL Players Association. In a Twitter statement on Monday night by the Raiders, Gruden also said that he was sorry for his comments about DeMaurice Smith, head of the NFL Players Association.
Surprising Fact
According to the Times and Journal, Grudens emails were discovered during an investigation into misconduct and harassment at Washington Football Team.
Continue reading
After homophobic and misogynistic emails surface, Skechers fire Jon Gruden, former Raiders coach, as brand ambassador (USA Today).
