Dive Brief:

• Domestic abuse charges against Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson have led retailers like Target to remove merchandise featuring his number or likeness, and Nike has suspended its sponsorship deal with him.

• Peterson was indicted Sept. 11 in Montgomery County in Texas on child abuse charges, and with his first court appearance delayed until October, his return to the team and any repair to his retail deals could also be delayed.

• Local retailers in Minnesota have also taken down Peterson-related merchandise.

Dive Insight:

So far, the withdrawal of sponsorship deals and merchandise by retailers and other companies has been largely limited to Peterson and in some cases the Vikings. Companies have been more swift than the league or the teams themselves when it comes to taking the measure of public sentiment and distancing themselves from these controversies, which lately extend beyond Peterson's alleged actions. In fact, the Vikings briefly reinstated Peterson despite the charges against him. It will likely take much longer for a retailer like Target to bring back the merchandise to its shelves.