USA Gymnastics Interim CEO Mary Bono Resigns Following Criticism of Tweet Slamming Nike
The interim president and CEO of USA Gymnastics has stepped down following controversy over a tweet of hers that took a shot at Nike.
Former Congresswoman Mary Bono––who had been named interim president and CEO mere days ago––was not happy with Nike’s ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick and she tweeted (then later deleted) this:
. @MaryBonoUSA has deleted this tweet pic.twitter.com/b5Cg3Ow0hv
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) October 14, 2018
After taking down the tweet, Bono posted these comments:
I regret the post and respect everyone’s views & fundamental right to express them. This doesn’t reflect how I will approach my position @USAGym I will do everything I can to help build, w/ the community, an open, safe & positive environment.
— Mary Bono (@MaryBonoUSA) October 14, 2018
Hey all, I know the Tweet will live on but have taken it down to move the focus to all I hope to accomplish on behalf of a great sport & those who are dedicated to it
— Mary Bono (@MaryBonoUSA) October 14, 2018
I look forward to telling my gymnastics story, my vision for the future of the sport and why I wanted the job.
— Mary Bono (@MaryBonoUSA) October 14, 2018
Bono received a lot of criticism for that tweet, including from Olympian Simone Biles:
*mouth drop*
don’t worry, it’s not like we needed a smarter usa gymnastics president or any sponsors or anything https://t.co/cYQizcjywn
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) October 13, 2018
In addition, Olympian Aly Raisman called out Bono over her connection to the Larry Nassar cover-up:
My teammates & I reported Nassar's abuse to USAG in 2015. We now know USOC & lawyers at Faegre Baker Daniels (Mary Bono's firm) were also told then, yet Nassar continued to abuse children for 13 months!? Why hire someone associated with the firm that helped cover up our abuse?
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) October 15, 2018
Clearly this is not a “new” USAG. Same corrupt decisions. Perhaps it’s because true accountability is less likely if authority is placed in the hands of someone similarly motivated to avoid it ….
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) October 15, 2018
Survivors, current gymnasts, families, coaches, gymnastics community & fans deserve better. We can’t move forward until we know exactly what happened. USAG take accountability, be transparent, release all your documents & data. PLEASE tell the truth. This is so devastating.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) October 15, 2018
Today Bono announced she is resigning, saying in a statement, “It is with profound regret, coupled with a deep love for the sport of gymnastics and respect for those who aspire to be great gymnasts, that I today tendered my resignation as the interim CEO of USA Gymnastics.”
Mary Bono is OUT as @USAGym interim president and CEO. In exit stmt, she defends her tweet marking out @Nike logo on her sneakers: “With respect to Mr. Kaepernick, he nationally exercised his first amendment right to kneel. I exercised mine” pic.twitter.com/qS0uaGdXyl
— Sarah Boxer (@Sarah_Boxer) October 16, 2018
You can watch CNN’s report above.
[image via screengrab]
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com
