Simone Biles usually turns heads with her unparalleled prowess as a gymnast, but on Friday she did it with an endorsement move.

Biles is ending her sponsorship with Nike and moving to Athleta, praising the Gap-owned brand for its work in uplifting women and girls. Biles said that “Athleta is committed to diversity and inclusion of all women, backgrounds, ages, sizes, abilities, and races.” 

It’s the second high-profile departure for Nike this week: the company could not reach a deal with Vanessa Bryant and Kobe Bryant’s estate to continue their 18-year partnership.

With Biles, winner of 30 Olympic and World Championship medals, now in the fold and its partnership with Allyson Felix, winner of 27 track and field medals, Athleta sponsors two of the most decorated athletes in history.

Felix called out Nike in a 2019 New York Times op-ed for cutting her and other female athletes’ pay when they could not compete because they were pregnant. Felix left Nike for Athleta that same year. The controversy caused Nike to change its maternity leave policies.

“The opportunity to encourage young girls to reach their full potential and be a force for change is incredibly powerful,” said Biles. She will release signature products with the brand.

In October, Gap Inc. laid out plans to close 350 Gap and Banana Republic stores, but wants to open 100 Athleta stores and double the brand’s revenue to $2 billion. Earlier this week, Athleta announced its expansion into Canada in both e-commerce and retail.

Nike said it wishes Biles “the very best” and that it will “continue to champion” the company’s female athletes.

The backers of the short-lived Super League are learning that breakups can be messy, even for a 48-hour fling.

JPMorgan, which had fortified the project with around $4 billion in pledged loans, apologized for its involvement in a corporate statement, saying it “clearly misjudged how this deal would be viewed by the wider football community and how it might impact them in the future.”

Arsenal, Manchester United, and Liverpool also apologized for their involvement in the project.

FC Barcelona took a different approach with a statement on Thursday, defending the Super League while conceding that the public outcry against the idea warrants an “in-depth analysis” with “time and the necessary composure to avoid taking any rash action.” 

The club also called for “structural reforms to guarantee the financial sustainability and feasibility of world football.”

Notably, Barcelona did not disavow or even say it would withdraw from the Super League. Barcelona, Juventus, and Real Madrid are the three holdouts of the dozen teams that initially committed to the league.

Barcelona is reportedly prepping a three-year offer to its superstar Lionel Messi. Messi, who is believed to have his eye on Major League Soccer, is on a $672 million contract which expires June 30.

Spanish outlet Vozpopuli reported that teams would be fined around $362 million for leaving the Super League, but the league has refuted that claim. It’s possible that teams would simply be forced to return an entry bonus of the same amount.

Trevor Lawrence could challenge Patrick Mahomes as next great quarterback endorser.

The presumptive No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft announced a deal with Gatorade worth up to $2 million a year. With his clean-cut image and history of winning, the door’s open for the 21-year old star, say sports marketers.

Lawrence could make $5 million to $7 million from endorsements his rookie season alone, said Bob Dorfman of Baker Street Advertising — double that if his team wins.

“Young kids especially love him: the golden locks and great looks,” said Brandon Steiner, founder of CollectibleXchange.com and AthleteDirect.com. “We know how quarterbacks go in the NFL with endorsements. They can be huge.”

Mahomes, 25, is the new king of NFL pitchmen, and his competitors are aging. Aaron Rodgers is 37. Tom Brady is 43. Peyton Manning’s 45 and retired five years. 

A scouting report on Lawrence’s profit potential:

• Besides Gatorade, Lawrence has landed a deal with adidas, reported Sportico. Adidas said it won’t comment on “rumor and speculation.” 

• Lawrence would be a natural for Head & Shoulders shampoo. Procter & Gamble could not be reached for comment.

Mahomes earns an estimated $10 million to $15 million per year via endorsements with adidas, Oakley, State Farm, and others. He co-starred in a Head & Shoulders spot with Troy Polamalu and was cover athlete for “Madden NFL 20.”