Nike Not Ready to Cut Ties With Vick Despite Pleas
The following excerpt is taken from a PDF version of the letter posted on the Humane Society's web site:
"We recognize that Mr. Vick has not been charged with a crime. But we know that Nike has high standards for its spokespersons, and urges Nike to terminate its relationship with Vick as soon as is feasible...we trust Nike does not want to be associated with any celebrity who is linked to this odious form of animal cruelty."
Nike responded with its own statement today saying that they're not quite ready to pull the plug.
There is no change in the status of the agreement between Nike and football player Michael Vick; he is rightfully presumed innocent and afforded the same due process as any citizen, rather than be tried in the court of public opinion. Nike will continue to monitor the situation, but has nothing further to say at this time.The powers that be at Nike have a valid point about Vick deserving due process, but the reality is, it won't take a conviction for him to appear guilty in the court of public opinion. And for a corporation like Nike, that's really all that should matter. With information linking Vick to dog fighting continually being broadcast -- like people in the area reportedly seeing Vick purchase supplies for dog fighting, including syringes, despite his public claims that he rarely visits the property -- his image has already taken a huge hit.
I can understand Nike's reluctance to cut loose one of its biggest spokesmen. After all, what better way to sell athletic shoes than to have a guy with wheels like Vick to help peddle them? But Nike risks a potential boycott by pet lovers if they keep him around. And it's only a matter of time, as long as Vick remains on their payroll, before the Humane Society calls for that boycott publicly.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank might want to brace for a similar situation over at his chain of Home Depot stores as well, because it's probably only a matter of time before one of the aforementioned animal rights groups is tossing the "B" word in his direction also.
Photo: Brian Bahr / Getty Images
Comments
It’s widely known in his circle of friends that Vick was well aware of the dog-fighting ring he helped fund. He should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for his participation in this disgusting blood sport.
This is a keen example of where Loyalty lies when it comes to the “commercialism” of this great nation.
The scene of this world is changing my friends…
Nike doesn’t have to drop Vick, but I can sure drop Nike. Unless and until Nike severs it’s contract with Vick, I will never again buy another Nike product.
We are dropping Nike and recommending that all of our members do the same.
This guy is a role model? What is Nike thinking???
nike you lost me
“Court of public opinion”, my ass. OJ was dropped like a HOT POTATO long before he was convicted. “Public opinion” is what makes me buy a $120 tennis show when, in all probability, a $75 New Balance is a better buy! “Public opnion” is drives their stock prices, ask ANY economist. I am boycotting Nike, Home Depot and urging everyone I know to do the same.
i started boycotting nike a few years back when they showed a couple of pits lunging at eachother in a commercial. losers.
Screw Dog fighting, lets have some real ACTION……..THE PUBLIC versus CORPORATE GREED. A fight to the death with JOHN Q. PUBLIC taking on NIKE and the NFL.
FIGHT THE POWER
I will not purchase anything from Nike or Home Depot hereafter, and previously had spent considerable amounts of money. It is too easy to pick any other brand of sports equip. or go to Lowes.
It is disgusting that Nike and Home Depot think that people will continue to shop their products. I know with the communication in todays world that more people are choosing to take a stand against corporations who continue to support sports figures who are breaking the laws. This is a flagarant breach of humanity with Vick involved with dog fighting. What will he do to his children if they can’t perform to his standards. Nike Home Depot take a stand and fire that inhumane indecent person. What I really want to say can not be said in writing.
I couldn’t agree with a group of postings more. Nike is out of there minds, and I am wearing Adidas from here on out.
And for God’s sake, can all this “due process” nonsense please stop? Which one of his wealthy colleague’s was able to buy the property and house, purchase 100+ pit bulls, and fund the dog fighting enterprise? Maybe if prosecutors didn’t have at least 4 witnesses that label Vick as a “heavyweight” in the world of dog fighting and directly responsible for the execution of dogs, his wealth might be able to buy him an OJ-esque freedom. I look forward to never seeing him in the NFL or a Nike commercial ever again.
Kudos to NIKE’s foolish business and management choices. Another profit driven short-sighted choice that defy’s even the simplest most fundemental economic business schooling. How does NIKE think by supporting Mr. Vick and his off gridiron antics is going to futher fatten the pockets of their board and shareholders ? I guess I missed that class at Wharton of how such choices will really increase revenue (The ever apparent ultimate goal of NIKE at whatever expense given some of their past business practices) and gain the favor of YOUR rapidly declining buying public ! I’m looking forward to your new line of Vick based REAL DAWG DOG upper NFL turf shoes !! Those should cause surge in SALES ! GET REAL !! the TRUTH is out ! NIKE does support child labor !! IT RESIDES IN THEIR BOARDROOM and down…And isn’t NIKE based in OREGON..A state proud of it’s earth and animal friendly image !!Way to use the recent PR to bottom-line gain !! Now that seems to me to be some BAD NEWZ used rather unwisely for the firm !!
Nike- you lost our business forever, you had a chance to totally cut ties and all your did is refuse to release a 5th shoe- YET you are keeping your Vick Merchandise in your stores
shame on you
Nike you lost another family
Nike, your decision to “waffle” on this matter just pushes me to do something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time……….clean out my closet.
Don’t need you!!
hey give the guy a break for all anyone knows it could have been one of his many relatives he supports and because the place is in his name he gets busted,did he even live at the place???? everyone just loves to prosecute black men dont they especially successfull black men,