Nike’s decision to stop working with Neymar jr. last year was connected with allegations by a Nike employee that the footballer had sexually assaulted her, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) has revealed, and Nike has partly confirmed the report, adding that the allegations could not be confirmed. Neymar has vigorously denied the allegation, his spokeswoman told WSJ, claiming that he split with Nike for commercial reasons. According to the WSJ report, the Nike employee told colleagues and friends in 2016 that the Brazilian football star tried to force her to perform oral sex in his hotel room after a promotional event in New York City. The employee was there to help coordinate events and logistics for Neymar and his entourage. In 2019, after the employee made a complaint to Nike about the fact, the Swoosh launched an internal investigation, which proved “inconclusive,” said Nike, as no supporting facts actually emerged. The company said it ended its relationship with the athlete because “he refused to cooperate in a good faith investigation of credible allegations of wrongdoing by an employee,” apparently to avoid any publicity. The partnership between Nike and Neymar had lasted for 15 years. In August 2020, when it was put to an early end by Nike, the company had not publicly given a reason for it. The athlete has since signed an endorsement deal with Puma. Nike’s partnership with Neymar was supposed to continue for another eight years, according to WSJ sources familiar with the matter. The 29-year-old football champion had been formerly accused of rape in Brazil, but it was never proven. A few days ago, Neymar extended his contract with the Paris-Saint-Germain club through the 2024/25 season.

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