Tesco and several other major retailers in the UK and Ireland have decided to pull Conor McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve whiskey from their shelves following his loss in a civil rape case. The decision comes after a High Court jury in Dublin awarded €248,603 (approximately £207,000) in damages to Nikita Hand, who accused McGregor of raping her in a hotel room in 2018. McGregor has denied the allegations and stated his intention to appeal the verdict.
Other chains, including Musgrave (operators of SuperValu, Centra, and others) and smaller retailers, have also stopped selling the whiskey. McGregor, who sold the majority stake in Proper No. Twelve in 2021 for over £103 million, has faced further fallout, with IO Interactive, the developers of the Hitman video game series, ending their collaboration with the athlete and removing his likeness from their content.
Hand expressed relief and a sense of justice after the ruling, stating, “I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up, you have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.” She acknowledged the lasting impact of the case on her life and family but said she hopes to move forward now that the legal battle has concluded.
McGregor’s legal troubles have sparked widespread debate, with his brand and reputation facing significant repercussions. Retailers and business partners continue to distance themselves from the UFC fighter as he prepares for his appeal.
