Talking Points: Braun loses Nike endorsement

1.

Nike announced Friday it was ending its endorsement deals with Ryan Braun.

Loss of sponsorships is where stars caught violating baseball’s drug policy will feel the financial pinch. We hope the fall from grace of Braun and soon A-Rod are examples to young players to stay away from PEDs.

But were not holding our breath. Without PEDs, Braun might not have been in a position to pocket millions of dollars he earned in endorsements.

Unfortunately, it seems to be a gamble players are willing to take.

2.

The International Olympic Committee is rightly concerned about a new anti-gay law passed in Russia.In a nutshell, the law imposes fines for spreading of messages urging homosexual tolerance and bans gay pride rallies.

The Olympics, founded on the message of equality through sport, has a platform to spread this message at the Winter Olympics in Sochi this winter.Hopefully, the Games will be a watershed moment for tolerance in a country that’s too often socially intolerant.

3.

And while we’re on the topic of being intolerant, the Eagles excused Riley Cooper from all team activities on Friday as the wide receiver deals with repercussions of being caught on video making a racial slur.

Cooper has been sent away from the team to get help with his issues, something the player and the team agreed upon. Coach Chip Kelly made it clear however, that Cooper would be back with the team when he’s ready.

“There has never been any question of cutting Riley,” Kelly said. “His status with us is not in question.”