Kaepernick ads spark boycott calls, but Nike is seen as winning in the end

Schools will stop using Nike because they don’t want to offend parents. I think Nike sales will go down 10-20%, same as NFL since kneeling started.

"Old angry white guys are not a core demographic for Nike," 

So much this! Love it!

You already paid for the clothes, so you aren’t hurting Nike.

It's positively Pavlovian the way the MAGAhats slobber and grunt on command.

Still, kinda refreshing to see a major corporation taking the mickey out of them.

Smart move for Nike, too. All that burned gear will be replaced, to Nike's profit.

I wasn't really a Nike fan before but they've earned more respect from me.

Sales and the stock price will show the truth.

Now thanks to Nike you will have anyone who wears them identified with all this social nonsense. Good thing there is no Antifa on my side to go around beating people up for wearing Nikes now.

Burning BushToday  07:12 am JST

Nike shoes will become a way to identify which side a person is on. Wearing Nike, you’re Blue, not wearing Nike, you’re Red.

Perfect for picking fights on the street and in the bars.

Weren't you just a few days ago complaining about division in American society? I mean after implicitly threatening that people who disagreed with you would be shot?

I’m sure no liberals will hold Nike accountable for their divisiveness all just for what they think will be financial gain.

These business people just picked profit over the unity of the company.

You LIKE this type of divisiveness so Nike has your total support. But don’t worry, it’s gonna backfire in them.

Unity of the COUNTRY. Now I know people’s politics by their choice of footwear? Ridiculous.

I've never been a fan of Nike (I just bought an excellent pair of running shoes made by a Japanese shoe maker) but do know Nike are master marketers that are now taking on the master marketer.

Nike does its research on markets; they must think this will increase their profits.

I've never seen any period in US history when specific corporations within the private sector (e.g. Google, Amazon, Nordstrom, Boeing, Harley Davidson, et.) have been attacked by the president, and now we see a corporation bite back.

When people on the left want to stop eating at In-N-Out Burger for donating to the Republican party, the right screams censorship. When a few people on the right start destroying the Nike property they already paid for to protest their ... hiring of a black guy who was mostly famous for protesting police brutality and racism for an ad where he doesn't directly talk about any of that... people on the left mostly just laugh.

Psst! Hey guys. You know what would really hurt Nike? Take all of your clean and washed Nike goods to your nearest Goodwill store, and donate them. You already paid for your socks or whatever, so burning them only hurts you. But donating them to a thrift store means someone else can benefit. And if you get enough people helping you out, maybe you can convince the public that Nike is a low-quality brand because they keep finding it in thrift stores. Maybe even speed up the process by getting all your friends to buy a bunch of Nike goods and then immediately donating them to people in need. That would really own the libs.

How does the meme go?

"You should stand to respect the flag of the government I'm stockpiling weapons to protect me from."?

In another way, it is what this country is all about, that you have certain freedoms to do things that other people think you shouldn't do," Trump said.

Like tearing children away from their families and putting them in cages, supporting a paedophile for the Senate, ordering the murder of another country's elected leader and laundering money for Russian oligarchs through your golf courses? Stuff like that?

I think I may pick up a par of Nike’s today.

It’s weird that the extremist righties think they have an economic impact on a global scale. They number less than 1/6 of the American population. And only a small percentage of those are going to burn their shoes in protest.

Really an insignificant bunch. Nike isn’t going to care about them, and conversely (pun intended) the number of people who buy nikes as a result will far outnumber the extremists who burn their shoes.

Protesters burned their Nike shoes, investors sold shares and some consumers demanded a boycott

Also funny to see commentators talk about "recognizing" those who agree and those who don't by the fact they wear Nike or not : what about those who don't care ?

Also ridiculous to think it will make Nike lose money : this a worldwide company, and most of the world couldn't even give a damn about american football in the first place. Or don't understand what all the fuss is about.

Also funny to see commentators talk about "recognizing" those who agree and those who don't by the fact they wear Nike or not : what about those who don't care ?

Extreme partisans only have the ability to see the world as they see it, and in their world everyone is an extreme partisan for one team or the other. They would consider your hypothesis akin to asking what about if a unicorn wore Nikes.

Left and Right boycotting and demeaning eachother. Where's this all going? civil war? Sad.

Why is it the right keep trying to instill this fear of violence?

If Nike wanted to choose an NFL player to be the face of its ad campaign, instead of selecting an out of work, cop-hating, anti-American quarterback, they should have gone with Pat Tillman, who accurately represents believing in something while sacrificing everything.

If Nike wanted to choose an NFL player to be the face of its ad campaign, instead of selecting an out of work, cop-hating, anti-American quarterback, they should have gone with Pat Tillman, who accurately represents believing in something while sacrificing everything.

True... doing something that Trump would have been way too cowardly to do.

When the article builds in an excuse for your stock dropping immediately after doing this, you know it’s not gonna end well. “Stock was overpriced! Just a natural correction!” Uh nope. People sold it because they know the price is headed to the toilet on the train of social justice.

The controversy may have been a convenient excuse for some investors to sell an over-valued stock, Vivaldi's Joachimsthaler said

My Nikes are going in the closet until Trump is done in 2024. If the company still exists by then, maybe I can sell them as vintage.

can’t wear them anymore or those dudes at the gym are gonna try to start talking to me about global warming and how “Hillary won the popular vote”.

If Nike wanted to choose an NFL player to be the face of its ad campaign, instead of selecting an out of work, cop-hating, anti-American quarterback, they should have gone with Pat Tillman, who accurately represents believing in something while sacrificing everything.

I think Nike knows their marketing strategy much better than you ever will. It's extremely doubtful they are looking at extremist views in order to determine their marketing strategy.

Dear Nike,

Thanks for choosing kaepernick as your role model.

Sincerely,

Adidas

When the article builds in an excuse for your stock dropping immediately after doing this

Extremely doubtful their stock will drop after this. You have shown yourself to be particularly incompetent when it comes to guessing how things will be.

My Nikes are going in the closet until Trump is done in 2024.

Boohoo. Why would Nike care? You already paid for them.

My Nikes are going in the closet until Trump is done in 2024.

Is he gonna kick the bucket? Ohhhhh you mean the presidency... ok

maybe I can sell them as vintage.

So they'll gain in value... cool... unless you're talking about the cheese.

Meh, I wear Adidas or New Balance anyway. Whatever is on sale. Who wants to pay all that for sneakers? And I buy my good shoes in the US, not in Japan.

Layoffs of 7-year-olds working in Nike sweatshops in China for $5 a day is on the horizon.

Anyone who uses Wikipedia as a source just lost the argument.

Anyone who uses Wikipedia as a source just lost the argument.

So I should take your comment, with no supporting evidence whatsoever, over a wikipedia article that has sources to back up it's claims.

Um, I know which way any intelligent person would go on that decision.

...any intelligent person.

KniknaknokkaerToday  10:00 am JST

Whatever business Nike might lose in the US over this, they will gain elsewhere in the world. -- comment

True. A Canadian at this site posted that he/she (or rather, his/her parents) will continue to buy Nike apparel.

"Old angry white guys are not a core demographic for Nike," he said.

Nike's demo may be 14 year-olds, but it's the "old, angry white guys" who are actually buying their overpriced crap for their kids.

They've already lost 4 billion.

"Nike wanted to choose an NFL player to be the face of its ad campaign, instead of selecting an out of work, cop-hating, anti-American quarterback, they should have gone with Pat Tillman, who accurately represents believing in something while sacrificing everything."

That comment got 4 down-votes. What kind of piece of garbage craps on a hero like Pat Tillman?

Nike's demo may be 14 year-olds, but it's the "old, angry white guys" who are actually buying their overpriced crap for their kids.

You act as if these angry old white guys make up a portion of the population that actually matters.

They don't. They just feel like they are relevant because of the echo chamber in the US. The rest the world seems them for the fools they are.

That comment got 4 down-votes. What kind of piece of garbage craps on a hero like Pat Tillman?

Who is crapping on Pat Tillman? We were pointing out the stupidity of the comment that there was something wrong with Kaepernik.

Although I wasn't one of the downvoters myself.

I agree... Trying to use a fallen hero such as Pat Tillman for political or financial gain is a very vile thing to do.

@danield That comment got 4 down-votes. What kind of piece of garbage craps on a hero like Pat Tillman?

Your perspective someone's disrespecting Pat Tillman. I think it would be great if the truth about what happened to Pat Tillman and how the military covered up his death would come out. I'd favor that.

A $3 billion loss in one day just to be politically correct? How stupid can you be?

Nike's next ad campaign should be: "Be woke, go broke". Just Self-Destruct

Some who were offended by the choice posted social media pictures of Nike shoes they had set on fire or socks with the Nike swoosh cut out. Twitter user Sean Clancy, or @sclancy79, posted a picture of a pair of Nike trainers on fire on Tuesday that was retweeted 20,000 times.

That's how ppl make a 'strong' political statement these days; burn their shoes & post it on twitter. Couldn't care less about Nike's SEA & central america sweatshops though.

All this outrage from the right over a football player that knelt... The same people don't care that the POTUS insulted a Gold Star family and a POW veteran and doesn't even know the words to the national anthem.

Nike down $4 billion in a single day.

When I first saw the ad with Kaepernick's face, I immediately put in my short order against NKE with x3 margins. I wound up making many thousands of dollars today.

Thanks, Nike

A $3 billion loss in one day just to be politically correct? How stupid can you be?

About as stupid as someone thinking a stock price dropping in one day means anything of significance. It'll be right back up in no time. Buy on the dip.

I wound up making many thousands of dollars today.

I'll bet you did. Ride it all the way down to zero. ;)

Ummm the stock already did fall...also I told you all Trump would win when everyone was too busy laughing. So my predictions are more than solid.

Why would Nike care? Because they were expecting me to buy 2 pair a year like I have done every year since the original Jordans in ‘85. Not like I’m the only one turned off by this. Check the stock.

Extremely doubtful their stock will drop after this. You have shown yourself to be particularly incompetent when it comes to guessing how things will be.

Boohoo. Why would Nike care? You already paid for them.

A $3 billion loss in one day just to be politically correct?

No one lost $3 billion dollars.

Maybe you should try actually understanding what you're talking about, rather than making comments that show you don't know what you're talking about.

Oh yeah those are only the people who invented things and created companies and employed millions of people. Screw those guys, right? They also pay for the actual purchases of their wives and children in most cases.

You act as if these angry old white guys make up a portion of the population that actually matters.

Ummm the stock already did fall...also I told you all Trump would win when everyone was too busy laughing. So my predictions are more than solid.

Nope, because give it a week, and the Pubs will be off on some other freak out, and Nike stock will be right back where it was.

It must suck that people don't feel the same outrage you extremists feel.

What do you mean noone lost 3 billion? “Stockholders” did. Oh unless you are recommending they keep it and lose another 3 billion tomorrow.

that stock is toxic now. NFL is their main business partner and they are upset too.

A $3 billion loss in one day just to be politically correct?

No one lost $3 billion dollars.

Maybe you should try actually understanding what you're talking about, rather than making comments that show you don't know what you're talking about.

To point out another lack of understanding, the "politically correct" safe thing to do would've been to not use him.

“Stockholders” did.

No they didn't, not unless they sold today.

Oh unless you are recommending they keep it and lose another 3 billion tomorrow.

Absolutely. The fundamentals are unchanged, perfect time to buy.

that stock is toxic now.

lololololol No its not. Right wingers have the attention span of a small child, they'll soon move on to boycotting the next company that hurts their fragile feelings. ;)

The politically correct thing for liberals to do these days is to use every single part of society to virtue signal at every single opportunity. We can’t even have sports to escape this crap anymore.

Have to force their values on the entire society to shame anyone who doesn’t support the virtue. Ignore the Nike sweatshops, ignore the attacks on our police by this NFL “Star”, must support Nike (and their profits) at all costs.

By tomorrow some Hollywood person or Dem politician/donor will be buying thousands of pairs. Then donating them in Trump’s name to some type of celebrity cause like illegal immigrants or something.

Yet this very article says the stock is overpriced compared with earnings. so that’s a lie then? to cover up that the stock went down entirely due to this decision to politicize sports and support anti-police activism?

Absolutely. The fundamentals are unchanged, perfect time to buy

The politically correct thing for liberals to do these days is to use every single part of society to virtue signal at every single opportunity. We can’t even have sports to escape this crap anymore.

It's not a virtue signal. It's a protest to bring attention to the crap black people in America have to worry about every day. It's a life or death situation that's forced on them, and you can't even deal with a few silently kneeling football players. And the left is whiny?

Yeah those guys getting paid millions to chase a ball and getting national endorsements to wear free sneakers their own supporters can’t afford to buy really got it rough.

Poor kapernick only has 20 million or so left in the bank after his mostly subpar career. Feel really bad he couldn’t make another 100 million due to strength and conditioning issues and the fact that he doesn’t throw accurately.

Never been a fan of Nike or Kaepernick. I guess now Nike will have to lower sweatshop hourly rates from 20¢ to 15¢.

His claim to fame is that he is better than half of the second string quarterbacks. Teams can and do live without him on the roster.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2017/05/16/colin-kaepernick-is-statistically-superior-to-half-of-the-nfls-backups-and-deserves-a-job/

@blacklab We can’t even have sports to escape this crap anymore.

By saying 'we' are you admitting to continuing to push an us - them America? If your political messiah continues along his path of the state uber alles you won't have to worry. 'They' (meaning your enemies) won't be able to criticize He-who-must-be-obeyed and will follow blindly. Or else.

Until then, I'll enjoy following various sports. I probably won't buy Nikes, but will appreciate they still have the freedom to choose how to market their products.

Hollywood person

Maybe Roseanne Barr, Chuck Norris, Adam Sadler or one of 'your' people will push another brand.

Yeah those guys getting paid millions to chase a ball and getting national endorsements to wear free sneakers their own supporters can’t afford to buy really got it rough.

No one is claiming the players have a rough lives, not even the players themselves. (Although they're not immune to police profiling.) They're using their privilege and influence to make a statement for those that don't have a prominent voice. Make an effort to understand what they're doing before criticizing them.

It'll be right back up in no time. -- comment

Go check out the today's closings for Starbucks, Target, Sam's Sporting Goods, etc., that all are still paying the price for making the corporate decision to kowtow to the SJW narrative and compare their numbers to a year ago. Also, compare the number of their franchises today to this date last year. All of them have had to close their doors (predominantly in liberal controlled states, btw) to keep from going belly up.

if I were Nike's competitors, I'd be releasing shoes/apparel that had Stars & Stripes designs. That would be the final nail in Nike's coffin.

"This is right on the money for Nike. They stand for this irreverent, rebellious attitude. In this case, it's reinforcing the brand," said Erich Joachimsthaler, CEO of strategy consulting firm Vivaldi.

Nike doesn’t ”stand” for anything except making money for shareholders. “... right on the money” indeedee.

The word “reverent” has the same etymological roots as “fear”. Irreverent could then mean “not to fear” as in Nike has never feared the bad publicity - when not quashed - generated by the bad working conditions in which its products are manufactured.

Nike is way overrated and overpriced, not always comfortable, haven’t bought any in years. I don’t buy really anything from Nike and I won’t, especially now.

I’ll take Docs and NB Vans over Nike and although I don’t like Kaepernick, as a capitalist, I don’t have a problem with him milking it, he can’t get a deal on the field, he’s too toxic and not THAT good, but with Nike he can make some money, so from a business perspective, good move, just don’t ask me to support him.

Go check out the today's closings for Starbucks,

Closed up. finance.yahoo.com/quote/SBUX

Target,

Also closed up, just off the 52-week high. search.yahoo.com/search?p=TGT&fr=uh3_finance_vert&fr2=p%3Afinvsrp%2Cm%3Asb&.tsrc=fin-srch

Sam's Sporting Goods, etc.

Dicks? I think you mean Dick's Sporting Goods- also closed up.

www.marketwatch.com/investing/stock/dks

, that all are still paying the price for making the corporate

Paying bigly, sitting on near record highs. ;) .

Also, compare the number of their franchises. All of them have had to close their doors (predominantly in liberal controlled states, btw) to keep from going belly up.*

What?! Lololololol They had to close shops in predominately liberal states, because of angry conservatives boycotting their stores? That makes 0 sense. Why wouldn't they close shop in conservative areas where they were being boycotted? Come on, I don't even think you believe this hooey.

 haven’t bought any in years. I don’t buy really anything from Nike and I won’t, especially now

Oooohhhhh I'm sure you're continuing to not buy from them is really gonna put a hurt to them. Way to fight the man, man! ;)

if I were Nike's competitors, I'd be releasing shoes/apparel that had Stars & Stripes designs.

Well now you're just being disrespectful to our flag. Very selective on when and how you respect the flag.

That would be the final nail in Nike's coffin.

They'd certainly lock down the angry white man vote.

if I were Nike's competitors, I'd be releasing shoes/apparel that had Stars & Stripes designs. That would be the final nail in Nike's coffin.

It's cute that you think Social Hatred Warriors have enough influence to bring down Nike.

The picture and the words on it said everything! And say no more than that!

So while Trump fans are busy throwing our intelligence agencies under the bus, mocking war heroes, and openly planning obstruction of justice, they take time out to express their outrage of a black man taking a knee during the anthem to protest police brutality.

Pretty lame.

Oooohhhhh I'm sure you're continuing to not buy from them is really gonna put a hurt to them. Way to fight the man, man! ;)

No, I just don’t want to give them MY money, it’s not about hurting them, it’s about who I personally want to give my money to as a consumer, so I can do that, happily, not sweat to them and most definitely NOT to me.

The government is not the country.

yep and same can be said of the POTUS

@burnbush Perhaps if the US government actually respected the basic human rights of its citizens, like not beating them and shooting them during traffic stops, guys like Kaepernick wouldn't have to go to such extremes to express their views.

A bit extreme, but I agree in principle. Would you be able to post a message like this questioning Putin's police state in a Russian paper and have it printed without fear of reprisal from the state?

All authoritarian regimes need to be challenged. Keep the free press free.

@burnbush Perhaps if the US government actually respected the basic human rights of its citizens, like not beating them and shooting them during traffic stops, guys like Kaepernick wouldn't have to go to such extremes to express their views.

A bit extreme, but I agree in principle. Would you be able to post a message like this questioning Putin's police state in a Russian paper and have it printed without fear of reprisal from the state?

All authoritarian regimes need to be challenged. Keep the free press free.

Perhaps if the US government actually respected the basic human rights of its citizens, like not beating them and shooting them during traffic stops, guys like Kaepernick wouldn't have to go to such extremes to express their views.

Kneeling during the anthem is hardly an extreme.

Only those that hate people who would dare to point out problems by the police would ever consider it to be an extreme.

People can do what they want, Nike can do what they want, but thank God I didn’t buy any Nike stock, otherwise I would dump it so fast. I think Under Armour is better anyway. Time to go shopping for some better gear.

@burnbush and they are free to do so without being bashed on the head as cops do in the US.

That's great to hear those protesting pension reforms aren't getting their heads bashed in by Russia cops and others, unlike these folks in the links below. Authoritarian regimes everywhere must be resisted..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQqGL0elOCM

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/06/13/i-watched-moscow-police-arrest-more-than-800-protesters-while-standing-next-to-men-dressed-as-medieval-knights/?utm_term=.9067327f3ed5

Good thing there is no Antifa on my side

I guess your side will have to settle for the KKK.

When you think about it, this may have actually worked out best for Kaepernick in the end - he has a Nike sponsorship, but doesn’t have to go through the damaging effects of playing football anymore.

Good on him for standing up, or rather kneeling, for what’s right.

Good thing there is no Antifa on my side to go around beating people up for wearing Nikes now.

There are some 'on your side' that are ironing their white robes :)

People can do what they want, Nike can do what they want, but thank God I didn’t buy any Nike stock, otherwise I would dump it so fast. I think Under Armour is better anyway. Time to go shopping for some better gear.

'Under Armour' sounds good for those who are endorsing the NRA :)

Old angry white guys are not a core demographic for Nike," 

That's odd. I recall reading something a while back that says the Nike brand is most heavily supported by baby boomers, among the demographic groups. The guys (mostly guys) who sit at home watching pro sports on TV and see Michael Jordan and also need comfortable footwear for the mall, golf course, walking the dog or washing the car.

We'll see if the marketers interviewed in the article -- who seem to believe that having one's share price hammered is a good thing -- are right.

Layoffs of 7-year-olds working in Nike sweatshops in China for $5 a day is on the horizon

Lay offs for obese rednecks in the manufacturing sector are more likely to happen in the years to come.

The Trumpists, already not that good on math, have no idea of the global reach of this brand.

So burn your Nikes and when you bought them on payment you'll be reminded for the act for awhile :)

A hint to the racist, ageist divisive haters who like to post about "angry, old white guys." Try replacing your terminology with a minority of your choice to get an idea what you are saying. I find it ironic that people who claim to support the fight against racism and discrimination are so happy to be racist and discriminatory themselves. And they wonder why things don't get better.

From a simple business standpoint, I see Nike losing lots of sales and gaining very few. Their target for this ad will forget about it within a month. (That's if they are already too thick to see through the shameless pandering to sell overpriced shoes made by underpaid laborers.) Meanwhile, while the boycotters may forget the details of the ad (bigots: insert Alzheimers joke here), but they will generally remember they don't like the brand for some years.

A hint to the racist, ageist divisive haters who like to post about "angry, old white guys." Try replacing your terminology with a minority of your choice to get an idea what you are saying. I find it ironic that people who claim to support the fight against racism and discrimination are so happy to be racist and discriminatory themselves.

We aren't calling all white people old and angry, we are talking about a group of old angry white guys. If they were old angry Asians, or old angry black people, it would be find pointing that out too.

From a simple business standpoint, I see Nike losing lots of sales and gaining very few. Their target for this ad will forget about it within a month. (That's if they are already too thick to see through the shameless pandering to sell overpriced shoes made by underpaid laborers.) Meanwhile, while the boycotters may forget the details of the ad (bigots: insert Alzheimers joke here), but they will generally remember they don't like the brand for some years.

I disagree. On the contrary, the reaction by the right-wingers to this actually gives some credence to Nike doing what it says in the poster - believe in something even if it means sacrificing everything. For people that believe a bunch of SJH could be enough to actually take down Nike, it will appear that Nike is risking everything to do something they believe in. And people like that, especially the little people. The more the right freaks out over this campaign, the more the good will towards Nike by everyone else, in particular the people who aren't playing for either team red or blue.

We aren't calling all white people old and angry, we are talking about a group of old angry white guys

They are not all old, no more angry than any other aggrieved person, and not all white. There is a reason why those words are used.

Old is used to denigrate a group as being irrelevant and out of touch. Somehow less deserving of consideration than someone young. That's ageism.

White is used to specify race, though there are conservatives of all colors. Again, white is used to imply racism or excessive privilege. Which is rather ironic considering the term is used in a racist manner itself.

Angry is used to make them sound emotional and unreasonable. The way women used to be described as "hysterical" whenever they were ill. Angry people can't be reasoned with - therefore no need to even attempt to discuss things with them. Especially since they are old and white as well. You see how this works?

 it will appear that Nike is risking everything to do something they believe in. And people like that, especially the little people. 

That is strikingly naive if they do. But people will believe just about anything they are told to believe, if enough of their peers agree. Anyway, I disagree - but that's neither here nor there. It's not my company, and I don't hold any stock in it. Perhaps you should invest, if you are really convinced of your thesis?

I forgot to mention that almost half of those angry men are actually women. Who the term even further marginalizes by ignoring their existence.

They are not all old, no more angry than any other aggrieved person, and not all white.

Sure, but they're mostly old, mostly angry, and mostly white. And overall, they're a pretty despicable group of people, deplorables you may even say, so I'm entirely ok with generalizing about them.

Old is used to denigrate a group as being irrelevant and out of touch.

Sounds pretty accurate for this group so far.

Somehow less deserving of consideration than someone young.

I'd say this group is less deserving of consideration than most.

White is used to specify race, though there are conservatives of all colors.

Yeah but we're not talking conservatives, we're talking Trumpers. Almost all white.

Angry is used to make them sound emotional and unreasonable.

Ok, sounds pretty accurate again.

So yeah, I see how it works. I described a group of people pretty accurately, and you don't like it's accuracy.

That is strikingly naive if they do.

But you didn't quote me correctly. What I said was:

For people that believe a bunch of SJH could be enough to actually take down Nike, it will appear that Nike is risking everything to do something they believe in.

I agree with you that people who would believe that a bunch of SJH could be enough to take down Nike would be strikingly naive.

Perhaps you should invest, if you are really convinced of your thesis?

While I think people are morons for burning perfectly good sneakers in a stupid protest, it's not like I have affinity for Nike myself. I'm pointing out how stupid people are, which is entirely independent of how I feel about Nike the company.

I forgot to mention that almost half of those angry men are actually women.

And just as useless as the men.

I hope you aren't expecting me to feel bad about these people or something. That would be pretty futile.

Good on him for standing up, or rather kneeling, for what’s right

He had better save every nickel and dime from Nike because he’ll never get a job playing football, ever, the guy is just so toxic.

he’ll never get a job playing football, ever, the guy is just so toxic.

Probably not, but as long as the right keeps expressing outrage about him, it keeps him relevant, and relevant means making money!

It's surprising not so many business-minded people cannot see the bigger picture of this controversial marketing/branding campaign move. This doesn't seem to make sense if someone purely views this from a fundamental financial/economic perspective unless you recognize this stratagem in a much larger picture, in fact a big concealed picture. There is far bigger play here people, far more consequential even if the ads cost over about 4Billion or so. It's not just Nike who's in this. Levis and the NFL are also connected to this so called business arrangement done with political flavor attached to it.

Why would be Nike, a heavyweight in sports apparel arena deliberately stake out a branding arrangement that's detrimental to their financial welfare? It seems so absurd on the logical surface because multinational corps such as Nike with high certainty won't ever decide on a marketing decision that's unfavorable to their financial interests.

From a logical business stand-point, this is not a normal procedure for critical business decisions unless there is a hidden risk not relating to what is clearly apparent on the surface. With high probability, an invisible risk or gamble that has nothing to do whatsoever with Kaepernick. This guys is just being used by rewarding a handsome contract that won't even budge Nike's budget. But human greed takes over and he's hurting for some bling bling so who cares. 5mil or so per year + royalties for however the long the contract duration is a tiny, drop in bucket for Nike overall.

Nike doesn't view ANTIFA or BLM-like political championing or even the American consumers as their main critical risk at all. More importantly, as most of public are fully not aware of, is the larger, bigger picture of financial risk that is/are got to do all with geopolitics and the rebalancing of international trade accords currently implemented by the present administration.

Nike has attached its enormous corporate presence to a decade long business distribution that's very reliant on the vitality of the freshly negotiated manufacturing contracts. There are millions and billions at stake here folks. This is the real hidden risk that nobody talks about. Not even the so called darling MSM (even GPlus Media) on both sides of the political spectrum.

Here is the hidden aspect I'm talking about. $158 billion at risk by corps such as Nike, Apple, and 18 other orgs. See link below for more detailed info...

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trade-war-watch-these-are-the-us-companies-with-the-most-at-stake-in-china-2018-03-29?ns=prod/accounts-mw

These contracts that covers the manufacturing of Nike goods are in the vicinity exclusively based on global agreements with Asian companies. See website below for reference.

https://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/nike/korea.html

There's some ASEAN members but North Korea and China have the most quantitative risk of them all as shown from the article earlier I've linked to.

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/trade-war-watch-these-are-the-us-companies-with-the-most-at-stake-in-china-2018-03-29?ns=prod/accounts-mw

With high probability, POTUS is about to impose a walloping round of Section 301 tariffs on imported Chinese products. This consequential move hurts Nike the most out of the other manufacturing companies that have contracts with China. Therefore, POTUS objective goal towards trade rebalance negotiations with Xi and co signifies the most quantifiable hazard that would jeopardizes Nike's business agreements.

It's not coincidence the timing of this announcement of Kaepernick because this happened after the conclusion of the Section 301 hearing regarding $200bil worth of tariffs for China. After the event, it's so damn obvious, Nike board of directors decided to counter for those massive, pending tariffs by stealth-fully staking out a business political position.

https://ustr.gov/about-us/policy-offices/press-office/press-releases/2018/august/public-hearings-proposed-section-301

I don't about you but to me this painfully obvious that this the heart of the whole issue. It's always been about the money, people! Nothing more, nothing less. Period. Everything else you see are optics and smoke screens for distraction purposes.

Kaepernick ads spark boycott calls, but Nike is seen as winning in the end - Headline

I doubt it. Suddenly American consciousness is awakened to the fact that New Balance sneakers are 100% Made in the USA, along with at least 10 other brands including some Reebok lines. They're just as stylish and oftentimes much more reasonably priced.

The Nike board should have done a better job than choosing as their front man a jobless one-trick pony who couldn't read defense and radical leftist activist who wore socks that depicted police officers as cartoon pigs.

Nike's going down in the way NFL ratings have gone down and are projected to be plunge even lower, as far as 63 million Americans are concerned.

Kaepernick obviously thought that the human rights violations by the US government were so severe that he risked his entire career and reputation to protest them in public, and Nike seems to agree with him that the brutality of the American government against its own citizens has gone too far.

“Kaepernick obviously thought ...”

No. Not obvious. You are making much too much of the man and his actions. He was well on the way out as a player. Why not “self immolate” if you’re not really going to get burned? I guess he couldn’t hack it if he wasn’t THE alpha male.

”Brutality of the American government...”

You missed your calling. Pravda is no more the organ of the Central Committee of the CPSU.

Niki’s R a proven favorite Athletic shoe no matter how they tend 2 market them, there going to SALE ! Poor choise of representation will have marginal effect on their future bottom line.

Nike is also the official sponsor of uniforms and apparel of the NFL

http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nfl-nike-uniform-deal

As part of the deal, Nike will set up all 32 teams with game-day uniforms and sideline apparel that bears the swoosh logo

So if anybody wants to wear official NFL team T-shirt and apparel, it's a Nike

Regardless of your position on his protests, it's a little dishonest to say Kaepernick has 'sacrificed everything'. That multi-million dollar contract he just signed with Nike is just one example. The only thing he gave up was playing football.

as far as 63 million Americans are concerned.

so over 200million more they can concentrate their marketing in instead

Time to go shopping for some better gear.

I dont think Nike is too concerned, after all they'll probably gain just as many customers as they lose , those new customers probably have more disposable income as well.

a touching ad done by nike, warm my heart and spirit. thank you!

Regardless of your position on his protests, it's a little dishonest to say Kaepernick has 'sacrificed everything'. That multi-million dollar contract he just signed with Nike is just one example.

Wait, that would mean he knew he had a contract with Nike when he initially made his protest. Are you trying to say this is some secret plot between Nike and Kaepernik?

When he made his protest, he didn't know he was going to get anything out of this. So it's not dishonest at all.

@strangerland

His protest did not force him to hand over the millions of dollars he had in the bank did it? The Nike ad is just one example of how he is doing just fine after his so called sacrifice of 'everything'. Like I said, the only thing he 'sacrificed' is his football career, which was arguably winding down anyway.

Look, I'm not arguing whether his actual protests were genuine or not, but the statement that he 'sacrificed everything' is an enormous exaggeration.

His protest did not force him to hand over the millions of dollars he had in the bank did it?

If he had millions.

The Nike ad is just one example of how he is doing just fine after his so called sacrifice of 'everything'.

Sure, but he didn't know he would get this ad deal when it happened.

Like I said, the only thing he 'sacrificed' is his football career, which was arguably winding down anyway.

Sacrificing your career is a huge thing for anyone. Especially someone in an industry where they are literally the sum of their reputation.

If he had millions.

Come on man, it's not hard to look up. he had an 11.9 million dollar contract in 2016. He is worth 20 million as of 2018. Whether or not you believe his protests to be noble, again, he did not sacrifice much.

"This is right on the money for Nike. They stand for this irreverent, rebellious attitude. In this case, it's reinforcing the brand," 

Nike’s money is with Communism and Marxist social justice inspired racism? Not much of a brand.

Turns out sacrifice means making millions of dollars. Must be rough.

I'm just worried about all the 7-year old Sri Lankan kids who will find themselves in the unemployment line if this really hits sales.

Nike's move has some risks involved but I don't think this is going hurt them that much. Nike stock has been on a steady rise for the past year, up by over 30%. The 3% drop they experienced, even with around $4 billion being wiped out of their market capitalization, isn't going to kill Nike, that's for sure. Interestingly, Puma and Adidas stock fell on Tuesday as well. So maybe there's something else involved.

One risk that Nike might face is a resurgence of allegations of sweatshop conditions at many of their overseas contractors facilities. They made a show of cleaning up their act after the controversy over conditions at their overseas factories were exposed back in the '90s. But new allegations are resulting in renewed scrutiny and there have been demonstrations around the world specifically targeting Nike and its business practices.

If Nike can keep under the radar of the workers of the world and antifa they most likely will come out just fine. But seeing how they are a multi billion dollar corporation, capitalizing on the "sacrifice" of another while at the same time exploiting slave wage workers in third world countries, they just might end up with a target on their back.

Follow-up in relation to my first post: https://japantoday.com/category/world/update-4-kaepernick-ads-spark-boycott-calls-but-nike-is-seen-as-winning-in-the-end#comment-1733640

It gets even worse for Nike because with high probability all the exclusive contracts with the Chinese have been sub contracted to essentially very secretive, non publicized manufacturing facilities in NoKo.

Link for more details...

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-northkorea-labour-china-insight/north-korea-factories-humming-with-made-in-china-clothes-traders-say-idUSKBN1AT00Q

Nike apparel and various products are made in NoKo sweatshops. Not many know this, but NoKo has always been China's unofficial proxy province. The corrupt Beijing contract approval process enables all state approved organizations to use Kim Jong's sweatshops as sub contractors. Nike happily obliged to use this contracted manufacturing terms in multiple nations.

Link for reference of list the countries involved.

https://business.nmsu.edu/~dboje/nike/korea.html

NoKo sub-contracting utilization enables plausible deniability toward the NoKo facilities by the parent organization signing the contracts. Nike board of directors is very concerned about the effects on their profits with the Section 301 tariffs. It presents a two-fold risk to them where

1)Chinese imports will be taxed and 2) sanctions will be applied against any orgs that operate in NoKo.

Nike is extremely expose to the risks associated within a China/Noko VS. Merica trade rebalancing war because of the way they structure their manufacturing contracts with the Chinese. A multinational corporation like Nike doing concurrent business China, NoKo as well as ASEAN countries is severely vulnerable to POTUS upcoming Section 301 tariffs. Nike really, really despises POTUS for this that they are willing to play the political business game with the current administration. Seems emotional rather than applying logic to critical business decisions.

Based on current market valuation, even a quarter percent drop in stock as a result from this political business ploy with controversial figure, Kaepernick, is peanuts compared to massive financial risk ramifications within multi billions and billions of manufacturing contracts that could become of no value overnight.

Nike is confidently not worried at all if they lose, let's say hypothetically 50% of all the American consumer base who will boycott their products. What matters to them more as a big deal consequence is losing their whole supply chain, outward inventories and the ability to no longer manufacture products. This would cost Nike much more in the bigger picture.

There are many present NoKo sanctions that have been breached multiple times but been overlooked by POTUS and the Treasury Dept. Both are well aware of the breeches as clearly evident in this linked article below.

http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201808070033.html

Unfortunately we can, with high probability, conclude that Nike is in the same boat with CCP's objectives because the company is sympathetically dependent on China with the way they structure their manufacturing business model. Well guess what, Chairman Xi will happily oblige and help them any way he can from any anti-Trump trade related endeavors.

Xi as the final decision maker will gladly assist Nike in offsetting to decrease America's revenue by way of willingly lower the productions cost. A rather intriguing quid-pro-quo.

I know what side of the debate the KKK are on.

I know not to be in the same side as them.

But I don't buy Nike anyway. There are better companies for sports equipment and Adidas is the cooler brand.

Whether or not you believe his protests to be noble, again, he did not sacrifice much.

Only his career.

May not mean much to you, but to most people, that's everything. Especially when football was likely his entirely life since a young age.

Only his career.

May not mean much to you, but to most people, that's everything. Especially when football was likely his entirely life since a young age.

A career that was pretty much unanimously considered to be going in the toilet. A quarterback that won what, like 3 of his last 19 games? He's probably doing better now than he would have been if he kept playing. He just wasn't that good.

https://www.si.com/mmqb/2017/06/07/colin-kaepernick-backup-quarterbacks

But regardless, again, that's still not anywhere near sacrificing 'everything'. I had to give up a career that I had trained intensively for many years ago. I got over it and I wasn't even a millionaire.

Could he be a good representative to a lot of people, sure, but the phrasing of Nike's message is disingenuous.

Could he be a good representative to a lot of people, sure, but the phrasing of Nike's message is disingenuous.

I think it was spot on.

I knew nothing of Pat Tillman, who has been mentioned by some in this thread as a better model of standing for rights and sacrificing all for those rights, so I have read up on him, both in Wiki and in recent news articles, as it seems the man is indeed being used by those who don't like Kaepernick.

An ex-sports star turned soldier, who was an atheist, who was killed by his own, and who didn't want to be used by his govt. and fellow Americans as a poster boy. His family don't want that either, and have spoken out against it.

And yet, some people (like the NJ police union) are using him as a poster boy.

Maybe you're right - using his image really would shine a light on all that is wrong with the country he was willing to be killed for.

Nike and Kaepernick will survive this. I hope Trump and the NFL powers-that-be who consider their opinions to be more important than freedom of speech, do not.

Anyone who uses Wikipedia as a source just lost the argument.

also for anyone who uses Fox news & Hannity and friends

Oh unless you are recommending they keep it and lose another 3 billion tomorrow.

Absolutely. The fundamentals are unchanged, perfect time to buy.

Might be interesting to see much discounted Nike stock Trump Enterprises snaffled-up.

This action by Nike shows guts.

I think it was spot on.

We’ll have to agree to strongly disagree on what the phrase ‘sacrifice everything’ means. Because when you’re a famous millionaire and you claim to have sacrificed ‘everything’ yet are still a famous millionaire... you haven’t.

@Strangerland, "Nike is risking everything to do something they believe in."

Oh my. They do say there's one born every minute.

Yeah, anyone who believes that's what I said would be quite the sucker.

I'm not sure why you are making things up and attributing them to me having said it though.

@Maria

Nike and Kaepernick will survive this. 

I don’t care whether or not Nike survives. If it were to go down, another company will rise to take its place as long as the marketplace is truly free.

As for Karpernick, I look at this as a career move: he is, or soon will be, finished in pro-football. How else will he make more in a year than most people make in their entire life?

The more “controversy”, the more money Nike and Kaepernick make.

How else will he make more in a year than most people make in their entire life?

That's easy. By 'sacrificing everything'...

Winner: Nike. Losers: Trump and fellow white supremacists.

&Ike

How else will he make more in a year than most people make in their entire life?

@extanker

That's easy. By 'sacrificing everything'...

Ex, you are a naughty, naughty boy. Go spank yourself. No matcha ice cream for dessert.

mukashiyokatta Today  01:19 am JST

Winner: Nike. Losers: Trump and fellow white supremacists.

Check under your futon. There may be a white supremacist lurking there.

So now that some time has passed, it's time to catch up on how things actually turned out.

@Blacklabel:

Sales and the stock price will show the truth.

Yes, you are right: Colin Kaepernick Pushes Nike’s Market Value Up $6 Billion, to an All-Time High

Nike’s market value has risen by $6 billion since its controversial decision to feature former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in its new ad campaign, CBS News reports. Shares are up over 36% for the year, nearly 5% just since the ad’s launch.

Others in this thread who said similar:

Texas Maggie:

Dear Nike,

Thanks for choosing kaepernick as your role model.

Sincerely,

Adidas

And:

Nike's next ad campaign should be: "Be woke, go broke". Just Self-Destruct

More Blacklabel:

What do you mean noone lost 3 billion? “Stockholders” did. Oh unless you are recommending they keep it and lose another 3 billion tomorrow.

that stock is toxic now.

Miyam_Musashi:

Nike's going down in the way NFL ratings have gone down and are projected to be plunge even lower, as far as 63 million Americans are concerned.