Carolina Panthers, NC State, Hornets end ties with CPI Security after CEO downplayed police brutality

“Last Saturday, we said we are committed to doing our part and we mean it,” the team said in a statement Saturday night. “CPI has been a long-term partner but, upon reflection, we feel that it is right to end our relationship. We have informed Mr. Gill of our decision tonight.”

Luke Kuechly and star running back Christian McCaffrey have both been featured in CPI commercials in the past years.

On Sunday afternoon, NC State and the Charlotte Hornets also announced they would end partnerships with CPI.

"NC State Athletics is fully committed to promoting and protecting an atmosphere that values and embraces diversity and inclusion," the statement read.

The Hornets' announcement comes two days after owner Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand pledged to give $100 million to organizations dedicated to promoting racial equality and social justice.

“Our chairman has been very clear about his thoughts surrounding the issues of racial equality, social justice and diversity. Hornets Sports & Entertainment shares these values. As a result, we believe it is appropriate at this time to end our partnership with CPI," Hornets Sports & Entertainment said in a statement.

CEO of CPI Ken Gill replied to the letter in an email, and said:

"Please spend your time in a more productive way," he said in an email to the executive director of Queen City Unity. "I challenge your statistics. A better use of time would be to focus on the black-on-black crime and senseless killing of our young men by other young men."

"Rather than acknowledge the harm caused by police brutality, excessive use of force, and social injustices, he deflects to black on black crime," Millares wrote. "Ken Gill’s response is unacceptable, highlights his white privilege and his failure to acknowledge it. It also shows his refusal to acknowledge the struggles of black and brown communities and the countless murders of minorities at the hands of the police."

Gill issued an apology after he made these comments:

"Regarding the email from me that was shared on social media, I want to apologize for my remarks which did not directly address the public's outcry for racial justice and equality in the wake of George Floyd's senseless killing.

"Let me say that CPI, and I personally, stand against racism and discrimination of any kind, and we are actively supporting solutions like the new Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department de-escalation training facility that will bring positive change to our community. In addition, I fully support the call for racial equality and justice in our community and our country."

Queen City Unity said on Twitter that this apology "is not consistent with the actions and racist words of their CEO" and it was "crafted" by CPI Security's public relations team.

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The Durham Bulls, who don't have a current relationship with CPI, said in a statement that the team would not pursue a partnership in the future. "CPI is not a current sponsor of the Durham Bulls and we will not be pursuing partnership with them moving forward," the team said Sunday evening in a media statement. "All remaining signage from previous contracts is in the process of being removed."

The Durham Bulls are owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, which owns and operates WRAL-TV and WRAL.com, along with other media properties.