Brands and companies "are reviewing their association" with cricketers Hardik Pandya and K.L. Rahul after their suspensions on Friday following the duo’s "sexist comments on women during their appearance on a TV show," according to John Sarkar of THE TIMES OF INDIA. Pandya’s deal with Gillette Mach3 Start "was the first victim of the controversy" as the company suspended its association with the cricketer. A company spokesperson said, "Hardik Pandya’s recent comments do not reflect the values of Gillette. We have suspended our association with Hardik until we decide on further course of action." Rahul endorses brands such as Puma and Bengaluru-based fitness startup Curefit. Pandya has inked deals with around seven brands, including Gillette and sportswear brand DFY. Duff & Phelps MD Aviral Jain said, "As we have seen with celebrities such as Aamir Khan, who lost his endorsements after he made comments that did not go down well with a certain section of the audience or even golfer Tiger Woods who got embroiled in a controversy, Pandya and Rahul’s brand valuation may be impacted in the short run. However, if the BCCI decides to restrict a cricketer’s appearance at social events or on talk shows, there may be a bigger impact on the community" (THE TIMES OF INDIA, 1/12).
