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Pacquiao didn't take a hit with Nike's exit: manager

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Dennis Gasgonia, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2015/sports/pacquiao.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Manny Pacquiao Boxer IG post</div></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - The local business manager of Manny Pacquiao said on Friday the boxing star’s endorsement deal with sports apparel giant Nike expired two years ago.This means Pacquiao didn’t take a big hit when Nike cut its ties with the fighting congressman over the furor caused by the boxer’s comment on gay relationships, said Arnold Vegafria in an interview on DZMM’s Pasada Sais Trenta.“Ang Nike endorsement agreement n’ya ay nag-expire na ‘yan noong 2014. Ang relationship na lang sa Nike ni Manny Pacquiao ay ang sponsorship sa pagbibigay ng mga apparel na sinusuot n’ya,” Vegafria said. Vegafria, who handles Pacquiao’s dealings with his endorsers, said that prior to the same-sex-marriage controversy, the remaining sponsorship Nike has been giving Pacquiao is the Nike apparel the boxer wears. “Minementain na lang namin ang relationship niya sa Nike sa pagsponsor ng kanyang mga apparel, dahil itong ating People&#x27;s Champ ay masyadong loyal sa kanyang mga endorsement n’ya,” he said.“Ang natatanggap niya ay ang pagbibigay sa kanya ng mga sports apparel, sapatos. Hindi lang sa pang-araw araw niya, may makukuha siyang supply,” said Vegafria. “Pero walang monetary involvement ‘yung Nike sponsorship kay Manny Pacquiao.”<div><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/boxing/news/2016/02/18/manny-pacquiao-says-respects-nike-s-decision-drop-8909" target="_blank">(READ: Manny Pacquiao says he respects Nike&#x27;s decision to drop him)</a></div>Nike announced early Thursday morning that it had dropped Pacquiao as an endorser following the boxing champion&#x27;s derogatory comments on same-sex marriage, where he described gays as &quot;worse than animals.&quot; Pacquiao has since apologized, but qualified that he is still against same-sex marriage. He also said he respects the decision of Nike to cut its ties with him.Now that Pacquiao and Nike have split ways, Vegafria said the boxer is now open to endorsement deals with other companies. “Ngayon, it opens the door na pwede na kong mag-deal sa bagong sports apparel na pwede nyang maendorse bago mag-fight,” said Vegafria. “Maraming mga interesadong sports apparel na kumakausap sa akin. Depende na rin yan kung ito ay akma sa mga requirements namin.”The business manager also thanked local companies who have endorsement deals with Pacquiao for staying with the boxer despite the controversy.“Sa ngayon, nagpapasalamat ako sa mga local endorsements ni Manny na nandyan pa din sa amin na sumusuporta,” he said.Among the local products and companies being endorsed by Pacquiao are PLDT, Bench, Robust, East West Bank, Kia Motors, LBC, Rexona, Motolite, Datu Puti, Organo Gold, Sting Energy Drink, cellphone brand ZH&amp;K, Pizza Hut, Ricoa, Cafe Puro and Alaxan.<div>&#x27;HELPING CONSTITUENTS&#x27;</div>Vegafria also said the earnings the boxer gets from his endorsements do not only benefit Pacquiao. He said the fighting congressman uses the money to fund his foundation and his projects for his constituency in Sarangani province.“Ang kanyang endorsements ay inilalabas niya rin sa pagtulong sa kanyang constituents at sa mga taong humihingi ng tulong sa kanya,” said Vegafria. “Alam nila(endorsements) ‘yan na ang pera niya ay hindi dumidiretso sa bulsa niya. Dumidiretso ‘yan sa foundation niya at sa mga tulong na ibinibigay niya sa constituents niya.”“Tahimik lang si Congressman Manny, pero maraming humihingi ng tulong. ‘Di lang sa constituents niya. Nakita n’yo namang ilang libong bahay ang ibinigay niya sa constituents niya sa Sarangani, hindi lang sa Sarangani, sa iba pang probinsya.”As of now, Pacquiao still uses his Nike apparel during training.&quot;Nakikita ko pa ring naisusuot ang Nike sa training niya. Kahapon sa GenSan [General Santos], nakita kong Nike pa rin ang sapatos niya,&quot; he said.Vegafria added that the boxer is keeping his focus on his preparation for the Timothy Bradley fight this coming April.He said they have yet to discuss the clothing brand Pacquiao will wear when he steps into the ring.&quot;Hindi pa namin pinag-uusapan yan. Depende pa rin yan kung anong makuha ng grupo ni Bob Arum, &#x27;yun ang gagamitin niya. Kung may makukuha akong bagong endorsement, iyon ang isusuot niya.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

MANILA - The local business manager of Manny Pacquiao said on Friday the boxing star’s endorsement deal with sports apparel giant Nike expired two years ago.

Pacquiao didn't take a hit with Nike's exit: manager

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Pacquiao didn't take a hit with Nike's exit: manager

Dennis Gasgonia,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 19, 2016 08:04 PM PHT

|

Updated February 20, 2016 01:23 PM PHT

Read More:

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arnold vegafria

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