Less than two months after naming Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks' teammates Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane as the cover subjects of its new NHL 16 video game, EA Sports has announced a big change.
On Wednesday (August 12), EA announced that Kane will no longer share the cover of the title due to an ongoing investigation over a sexual assault allegation against the hockey star. This marks the first time that EA has pulled a cover athlete from a video game before its 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," EA said in a press release statement. "He will not appear on the EA Sports NHL 16 cover, nor participate in other ... promotional activities."
With that, EA went ahead and tweeted its new NHL 16 cover, this one only featuring Toews.
The new cover of #NHL16.
— EA SPORTS NHL (@EASPORTSNHL) August 12, 2015
The game was scheduled for a September 15 release, although it's currently unknown whether that date will stick or not.
Police in Hamburg, N.Y., where Kane resides, have confirmed an incident at the NHL star's home during the first weekend of this month. Earlier this week, the Buffalo News reported that the alleged victim had bite marks on her shoulders and a scratch on her leg, stemming from the alleged attack.
Kane, 26, signed an eight-year, $84 million contract with the Blackhawks last summer. The three-time Stanley Cup champion also has several endorsement deals, including with Chevrolet, Gatorade and McDonald's.
EA notably stood by Tiger Woods for its golf franchise when news of his multiple counts of infidelity broke in November 2009.
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