England cricketer Ben Stokes dropped by sponsor after issuing Katie Price apology
Written by News on 12/10/2017
Ben Stokes has been dropped by sponsor New Balance just hours after apologising for imitating Katie Price and her disabled son.
The sportswear and equipment manufacturer say they have ended their partnership with the England all-rounder because of behaviour that "does not match our brand culture and values".
Stokes is currently suspended from England selection pending a police investigation after he was arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm last month.
"New Balance does not condone behaviour by our global athletes that does not match our brand culture and values, and therefore we have ended our relationship with Ben Stokes, effective October 11, 2017," the company confirmed.
It came after Stokes admitted he was "foolish" to attempt to copy both model Price and her son, who is partially blind and suffers from autism, via Twitter.
The 26-year-old said: "Earlier this year I was shown a clip of Harvey being asked on ‘Loose Women’ how he responds to internet trolls.
"I loved Harvey’s directness with his response – he said what most of us think but perhaps aren’t brave enough to say, let alone on live TV.
"I foolishly attempted to copy the clip after I saw it a few times. I should never have done this and I am so sorry. It was absolutely not my intention to offend Harvey, Katie or anybody else.
"I have written to both Harvey and Katie to say sorry and prior to this offered to meet in person at the end of last month with a view to also getting behind their petition about online bullying. I do hope I can put this right."
As things stand, Stokes will not travel to Australia with the rest of the England squad for this winter’s Ashes series as he waits to learn whether he will face criminal charges over the incident in Bristol.
However, the England Test vice-captain, who is also subject to internal disciplinary action, has had his central contract renewed by the ECB since the arrest.
(c) Sky News 2017: England cricketer Ben Stokes dropped by sponsor after issuing Katie Price apology
