Because we live in a generally sunny clime, Ice Hockey isn’t quite as popular a sport here as the one played on a verdant field. Unless you ardently follow the sport, you likely have no idea who Patrick Kane is. Truth is, neither do I – but he’s been removed as one of the cover athletes of EA’s impending NHL 16.
Kane is currently embroiled in investigation, following an alleged rape at his Hamburg, New York home.
Says Second City Hockey:
The News reports that Kane met the woman and a friend at SkyBar, a popular nightclub in Buffalo, last Saturday night before he allegedly invited them to his home “for a private party.” The accuser alleges that the crime happened soon afterwards at the home when “she went by herself into another room, where Kane followed her, overpowered her and raped her.”
EA has dropped him like a hot potato.
“In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA Sports NHL 16,” said EA. “He will not appear on the EA Sports NHL 16 cover nor participate in other EA Sports NHL 16 promotional activities.”
No criminal charges have been filed as yet apparently. While I believe in the notion of “innocent until proven guilty,” I completely understand why EA would drop Kane before the results of the investigation. EA is a business, and any business would do well to avoid PR disasters.
This leaves Kane’s teammate, Blackhawks Captain Jonathan Toews as the sole cover star for the game. The WWE has recently done a similar thing, erasing the existence of Hulk Hogan from its website following racist outburst from the aging wrestler.
Last Updated: August 13, 2015
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 13, 2015 at 12:09
Yip, the last thing they want is for the allegations to be proven true & then have to recall the game because of the cover.
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 12:24
Too bad the didn’t avoid PR disasters like :
Mass Effect 3 Day 1 DLC and Ending Debacle
Simcity DRM disaster
Shameless Dungeon Keeper mobile game
BF4 Server issues
Killing Dead Space
RIP Command and Conquer series and countless other that we grew up with.
But at least Battlefront 3,NFS and Garden Warfare 2 is coming…
http://i.memeful.com/media/post/0MxGVwL_700w_0.jpg
Dutch Matrix
August 13, 2015 at 13:09
Dude! Rise above it and move on! Shit. You sound like an old lady with a wet pantaloon!
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 13:12
NEVAFORGET!
Dutch Matrix
August 13, 2015 at 13:17
Ugh no. Why complain so much?
Hammersteyn
August 13, 2015 at 14:24
Because they’re the devil
Skyblue
August 13, 2015 at 22:25
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews sure plays for keeps when it comes to sponsorship cash – I kid, I kid