Sportswear company Puma ends relationship with Aaron Hernandez after arrest of former Patriot

BOSTON – Puma has ended its relationship with Aaron Hernandez.

The sportswear company made the move Thursday to end the two-year contract it agreed to in April with Hernandez, Puma spokesperson Katie Sheptyck said.

On Wednesday, the former New England Patriots tight end was charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a friend. The Patriots released him after his arrest and before his court appearance. A judge denied bail Thursday.

Hernandez "was going to be involved with our men's training program" but had not started working with Puma and his role wasn't specifically defined, Sheptyck said. The agreement didn't involve product endorsements, she said.