HBO Comment on Pacquiao Gay Slap

Most folks have a good handle on the concept that broadcasters and platform providers present boxers and athletes and feature them for their sporting talents, not their out of the ring behavior and views.

But occasionally, a sports entertainer steps in it to such a degree that a corporation will feel the need to weigh in. After fighter Manny Pacquiao two weeks ago made clear his feelings for gay people, much reaction ensued, much of that amounting to a harsh appraisal of Pacman’s bias; his promoter even termed the stance and pronouncement “reprehensible.”

Pacquiao fights on April 9, and HBO will distribute his clash on their PPV arm. They offered this statement today to make clear the corporate stance on Congressman Pacquiao’s same sex denunciation.

“Next month Manny Pacquiao and Timothy Bradley Jr. are scheduled to meet in a Pay-Per-View bout. We have an obligation to both fighters and, therefore, will proceed to produce and distribute that event. However, we felt it important to leave no uncertainty about our position on Mr. Pacquiao’s recent comments toward the LGBTQ community. We consider them insensitive, offensive and deplorable. HBO has been a proud home to many LGBTQ stories and couldn’t approach this event without clearly voicing our opinion.”