Gamecocks, Fireflies cut ties with sponsor after CEO’s remarks about protests
On Friday, South Carolina football coaches and players marched for social justice and to make a statement about ending racism in America.
On Sunday, the athletic department took another step, cutting ties with a company whose CEO made controversial comments about the protests around the country.
The Gamecocks and Athletics Director Ray Tanner announced the school is ending its corporate sponsorship arrangement with CPI Security. It comes in the wake of CEO Ken Gill’s comments made in response to an email that called for police reform and was sent from Charlotte nonprofit group Queen City Unity. In Gill’s emailed response he said, “A better use of time would be to focus on the black on black crime and senseless killing of our young men by other young men.”
Said Tanner in a statement Sunday: “Our University and our athletics department stand for equality and justice for all. Our student-athletes, coaches and staff have taken part in peaceful protests and made statements in their support for ending racism and social injustice. We should all be committed to supporting these efforts.”
The Carolina Panthers had cut off their sponsorship deal late Saturday night. Gill has since sent out an apology.
“I have listened to the feedback, and now more than ever realize the need for continued dialog to help end racism with our community,” Gill said Sunday via the CPI Twitter page.
The death of Floyd at the hands of police sparked more than a week’s worth of protests across the United States.
Later in the day Sunday, the Charlotte Hornets and the Columbia Fireflies also dropped CPI security as a sponsor.
“Our core values include a commitment to be an agent of progress in our community,” the Fireflies said via a statement. “We stand united with our city, our state and our nation in the fight against racism, discrimination and oppression.”
CPI is based in Charlotte.
This story was originally published June 7, 2020 at 2:17 PM.
