Mystery Disease Kills Thousands
Gay Marriage Vote Puts Heat On Christie
Will Charlie Sheen take a Michael Jordan ad off the air?It's a question the sports-marketing world may soon be discussing in the wake of Sheen's arrest over Christmas on charges of domestic violence, second-degree assault and criminal mischief. For the past two years, the star of CBS' "Two and Half Men" has appeared alongside Jordan in a series of spots for Hanes underwear, which the former basketball star has endorsed since 1989.
Representatives from Hanes, which is based in Winston Salem, NC -- about 200 miles from Jordan's childhood home -- did not respond to multiple calls or emails, and the company's offices are officially closed until January 4, according to an automated email from a Hanes spokeswoman.
Neither Jordan, who's a part-owner and manager of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats, nor his agent David Falk could be reached for comment regarding Sheen's arrest or Hanes' plans going forward.
Only Nike, which began its relationship with Jordan after he turned pro in 1984, has a longer relationship with the Hall of Fame guard than Hanes, which has featured Jordan in more than 25 TV ads during the past two decades. In recent years, Hanes has paired Jordan with a series of Hollywood stars -- including Cuba Gooding, Jr., Matthew Perry and Jackie Chan -- in ads for the company's various lines of men's underwear. (Jordan has sung the praises of just about every possible Hanes product, including "Fruit of the Loom" briefs "No Ride Up" boxer briefs, as well as "Tagless" undershirts.)
The TV commercials starring Jordan and Sheen, which first appeared in 2008, are for Hanes' "Comfortsoft" shirts, and the most recent spot was airing in wide rotation this past weekend. The reports of Sheen's arrest in Aspen first began appearing in the afternoon of Christmas Day, and earlier today, various gossip sites released a recording of the 911 call allegedly made by Brooke Mueller, Sheen's wife, after the couple's altercation early Friday morning.
TMZ also posted the report from the police officer who first arrived at Sheen's home -- the document details the couple's heated argument, as well as Mueller's alleged charge that Sheen held her down on a bed and held a pocket knife to her neck.
If Hanes does pull the Jordan-Sheen ad, it would mark the latest public-relations snafu for Jordan, who was widely criticized for the wistful tone of his speech at his Basketball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in September. Since retiring -- for the third time -- from the NBA in 2003, he has been largely ineffective as a basketball executive, first with the Washington Wizards and, since 2006, with the Bobcats. In 2007, he and his wife Juanita finally split after a previous divorce announcement. According to published reports, Juanita Jordan received about $168 million in the settlement.
How Long Will Santorum's Surge Last?
Washington Gay Marriage Legislation Signed Into Law By Governor Chris Gregoire
House GOP Offers Deal In Big Fight
Officials Confirm: Prescription Drugs Found In Whitney Houston's Room
Obama Budget Signals Shift From Austerity Measures To Campaign Promises
U.S. Green-Lights Google's Massive $12.5 Billion Purchase
Syrian Rebels Fight Off Attack On Key Town
Downgraded: Moody's Cuts Credit Ratings Of Italy, Portugal And Spain
WATCH: Fox News Pundit's Disturbing Comments About Rape
Pressure Mounts On Mortgage Giants To Pursue Principal Reductions
When Will The New iPad Be Announced?
Wall Street Fears Volcker Rule Will Force Testosterone Monitoring
Topless Protesters Target 'Gas Gangsters'
Afghanistan Base Named 'Aryan' Raises Objections From Soldiers
WATCH: CPAC's 'Best In Show'
WATCH: 25 Million Tons Of Japan Tsunami Debris Headed Directly Our Way
Obama's Birth Control Rule Will Hurt Homeless Veterans, Warns GOP Congressman
WATCH: Bill Maher Rips GOP Concept Of 'Elites'
GOP Candidates Out Of Step With Catholic Church On Unemployment
WATCH: Anderson Cooper's Hilarious Adventures With Adele
Supreme Court Justice Robbed
It's Only Getting Worse: Economists' Latest Dire Prediction
Huff TV: WATCH: Arianna Weighs In On Tony Bennett's Call To Legalize Drugs
