In a significant development following last week’s High Court ruling, major Irish retailers have announced they will cease carrying products associated with Conor McGregor. The decision comes after a civil jury awarded approximately $267,000 in damages to Nikita Hand regarding an incident at the Beacon Hotel on December 9th, 2018, which McGregor denied.
Proximo Spirits, which acquired McGregor’s Proper No. Twelve brand in 2021 in a deal valued at approximately $130 million, announced a decisive shift in their marketing strategy. “Since 2021, Proximo Spirits has been the 100 per cent owner of Proper No. Twelve,” the company stated. “Going forward, we do not plan to use Mr McGregor’s name and likeness in the marketing of the brand.”
Leading retailers including Tesco, SuperValu, Centra, Costcutter, Carry Out, Spar, and Mace have all confirmed they will discontinue carrying McGregor-affiliated products. Tesco specifically confirmed they are “removing Proper No 12 from sale in its stores and online.”
Musgraves, operator of the SuperValu chain, stated they “could confirm these products are no longer available to our store network.” The Barry Group, which manages Costcutter and Carry Out outlets, has also removed associated products from circulation to their network.
The impact extends beyond retail, with IO Interactive, developer of the ‘Hitman’ video game series, announcing the termination of their collaboration with McGregor. “In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately,” the company stated on social media.
The Press Up Group, Ireland’s largest hospitality group, noted they had “never stocked any of Conor McGregor’s brands.” Supermarkets Lidl and Aldi confirmed they do not carry any products owned by McGregor.
Clíona Saidléar, RCNI executive director, has urged companies to reconsider their association with McGregor following the jury’s decision. There was no immediate comment from McGregor’s representative regarding these developments.
