FILE- In this Oct. 16, 2011, file photo, Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game in Chicago. After enduring the fallout from child abuse allegations against star running back Adrian Peterson, the Vikings first-year coach Mike Zimmer might benefit from visiting an old friend in the football business. He'll do so this Sunday when he sees Saints coach Sean Payton in the New Orleans, though the timing is far from ideal. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press

Adrian Peterson's Contract with Nike Terminated by Company

Matt FitzgeraldNov 6, 2014

The child-abuse scandal surrounding Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has resulted in the termination of his Nike endorsement contract.

ESPN.com insider Darren Rovell reported the news:

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Rovell cited a Nike spokesman with knowledge of the situation as the source of Thursday's development, which comes after Peterson pleaded no contest Tuesday to a child injury charge. Rovell speculated the plea allowed Nike to end its contract with Peterson without financial penalty.

Following the plea deal, Mike Garafolo of FoxSports.com reported that the NFL rejected Peterson's request for immediate reinstatement. Garafolo added further details on Peterson's future outlook via Twitter:

Given the prominence of Nike in the sports industry and the caliber of talent Peterson is as a football player, the abrupt parting of ways is another example of how much off-field adversity the NFL has recently faced.