Deshaun Watson's Endorsement Deal With Nike Suspended After Accusers Speak

Nike won’t have a relationship with Deshaun Watson until further notice, telling CNBC that it has suspended its endorsement of the Houston Texans quarterback Wednesday amid a growing sex scandal.

“We are deeply concerned by the disturbing allegations and have suspended Deshaun Watson. We will continue to closely monitor the situation,” Nike told CNBC in a statement.

The news comes less than 24 hours after two of the women who have accused Watson of sexual assault and misconduct spoke at a news conference outlining the allegations.

The number of women who have filed lawsuits against Watson is now up to 22. Watson has been accused by various massage therapists of behaving inappropriately toward them while receiving treatment.

“I got into massage therapy to heal people,” Ashley Solis, one of Watson’s accusers, said at Tuesday’s news conference. “To heal their minds and bodies. To bring peace to their souls. Deshaun Watson has robbed me of that. He took that away from me, he tainted a profession in which I take enormous pride.

"I suffer from panic attacks, anxiety and depression. I'm in counseling as a result of Deshaun Watson's actions. I hope he knows how much pain he's inflicted on me emotionally and physically. And I hope he knows how much pain he's inflicted on these other survivors.”

Watson has denied the allegations against him, insinuating that the women who filed lawsuits against him and their attorney, Tony Buzbee, are after money. The law firm of Rusty Hardin, Watson’s attorney, said Buzbee's firm asked Watson for “$100,000 in hush money” before the allegations became public.

The Houston Police Department said it opened a criminal investigation into Watson on Friday.

The NFL has yet to suspend Watson amid the nearly two dozen lawsuits filed against him. The league said is investigating the allegations before making a decision.

Watson is set to earn a $10.5 million base salary in the 2021 season before his four-year, $156 million contract extension kicks in for the 2022 season. The quarterback continues to find himself in trade rumors since asking the Texans to move him earlier this year.

At the start of last season, Forbes reported that Watson would make $8 million for the year in endorsements, although financial terms with Nike were not disclosed. Only six NFL players were paid more in combined salary and endorsements than Watson for 2020, according to Forbes.