Nike is "keeping its sponsorship" with U.S. Women's National Team and NWSL Reign G Hope Solo, despite the domestic violence charges pending against her, according to Allen Brettman of the Portland OREGONIAN. Nike Global Communications Dir Greg Rossiter in a statement said, "We are aware of the allegations and that Hope Solo has pled not guilty to the charges. Hope remains a Nike athlete and we will continue to monitor the situation." Solo has pleaded "not guilty and the case is schedule for trial Nov. 4" (Portland OREGONIAN, 9/24).
CALLS TO SIT CONTINUE: Calls continue to roll in that Solo should be benched by U.S. Soccer until her case is heard, with ESPN's Michael Wilbon saying she should "absolutely not" be playing. Wilbon: "You can't represent the United States with captain's bars on. This is ridiculous." ESPN's Tony Kornheiser said, "One of the things that Roger Goodell said struck me as completely fair and reasonable. How do you balance getting rid of people that you think are criminals at the moment and giving them due process?" Kornheiser said the "notion that somehow … because she's a woman and not a man then how could this be domestic violence -- what are you talking about!?" ("PTI," ESPN, 9/23). ESPN's Keith Olbermann criticized U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati for allowing Solo to continue playing, as Gulati is "not budging an inch away from being an enabler." Olbermann noted Gulati stated if "new information becomes available we will carefully consider it." Olbermann: "Roger Goodell thought there wasn't any new information either about Ray Rice. The new information, Mr. Gulati, is that domestic violence by athletes of any gender is no longer accepted. And that goes for the columnists who are defending this decision" ("Olbermann," ESPN2, 9/23). But Slate.com's Amanda Hess said, "U.S. women's soccer does not have a decades' long problem with domestic violence. It does not have officials who have been routinely ignoring this issue. It's a totally different league and it doesn't have any of the NFL's baggage" ("Today," NBC, 9/24).
