EA Sports announced that Patrick Kane will not appear on the cover of their upcoming video game NHL 16.
Here’s the statement they released on Wednesday:
Official statement regarding Patrick Kane. pic.twitter.com/MVurUYOHT8
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 12, 2015
If that tweet is giving you trouble, here’s the text of the release:
“In light of the ongoing investigation involving Patrick Kane, he will no longer be a spokesperson for the launch of EA Sports NHL 16.
He will not appears on the cover nor participate in other promotional activities.”
The original plan called for Kane to be on the cover of the title with Jonathan Toews. It would have been a callback to the past, as Kane was the cover star for NHL 10 while Toews took over that role for NHL 11.
Instead, it appears that Toews will be alone for NHL 16:
The new cover of #NHL16. pic.twitter.com/57iMr9pD9d
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 12, 2015
ESPN’s Katie Strang reports that Kane, 26, may lose other sponsors depending upon how the ongoing rape investigation turns out.
Other companies with which Patrick Kane has endorsement deals, including Bauer Hockey and McDonald's, are also monitoring investigation
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) August 12, 2015
With regards to investigation, spoke with Hamburg Police Chief Greg Wickett earlier. Said status remains the same. Still no time frame #NHL
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) August 12, 2015
