Dannon Drops NFL Quarterback Cam Newton Over ‘Sexist and Disparaging’ Remarks

Yogurt brand Dannon is cutting ties with Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton over sexist comments he made in a press conference on Wednesday.

Newton joined the Dannon team in January 2015, taking over the Oikos brand from former spokesperson John Stamos.

“We are shocked and disheartened at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton towards Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women. It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace. It’s simply not OK to belittle anyone based on gender. We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him,” the brand said in a statement.

During a press conference earlier this week Charlotte Observer reporter Jourdan Rodrigue asked the quarterback about wide receiver Devin Funchess embracing “the physicality of his routes,” to which Newton smirked and replied that, “It’s funny to hear a female talk about routes.”

The reporter tweeted about the event and noted later that she had approached Newton after the press conference. Newton did not offer any apology to Rodrigue.

Newton works with a number of other brands including Under Armour. No word yet on how other partners will move forward following Newton’s remarks.

Katie Richards

@ktjrichards

Katie Richards is a staff writer for Adweek.