Report: Ray Rice Loses Nike & EA Sports Endorsement Deals, But Still May Return To NFL

Even news of Royal Baby #2 proved itself no match for the headline dominator of the week – the woes of Ray Rice.

As readers know, the former Baltimore Ravens’ star has been the talk of the week as footage surfaced of him violently attacking his then-fiancee, Janay, in an Atlantic City elevator.  And, while Mrs. Rice made headlines herself for slamming the media for “embarrassing her” with its extensive coverage of the story, news flooded elsewhere that the running back will no longer see his face gracing NIke or EA Sports (video game) campaigns.

Abruptly removed from the sports giants’ rosters following reports of the attack, all hope may not be lost for Rice.  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell believes that with good behavior, we may soon see Ray on the football field again.

Via THR:

“NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says Ray Rice could potentially play in the NFL again. “I don’t rule that out, but we would have to be fully confidant that he is addressing this issue clearly. That he has paid a price for the actions that he has already taken,” Goodell said in an interview with CBS This Morning co-host Norah O’Donnell.

Excerpts aired on Tuesday’s CBS Evening News. The full interview will air Wednesday on CBS This Morning.”

Via NBC:

“…EA Sports announced that Rice would be removed from the lineup in the Madden NFL ’15 video game. The roster change will take place by this Friday, the game maker said. Later, shoe giant Nike terminated Rice’s endorsement contract, with a terse statement from spokesman Brian Strong saying, “Ray Rice is no longer a Nike athlete.”

The Ravens also distanced themselves further from #21 on Tuesday, announcing via Twitter that they will offer an exchange for all Rice jerseys at stadium stores. They said, “details to come.” And even Rice’s alma mater, Rutgers University in New Jersey, has scrubbed him from videos that are played in their stadium.

…in Baltimore, Hersh’s Pizza and Drinks is offering a free personal pizza in exchange for any Rice jersey, which they would then trash. “These jerseys will save us money on toilet paper this week.”