Once again Nike has made the decision to work with NFL player Michael Vick. The sports giant dropped Vick's endorsement deal and halted the release of a signature Zoom Vick V shoe shortly after he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges in August 2007, but has now decided to bring him back in. The deal is reported to be the first time a company has brought back a celebrity it previously dropped.
Though the details of the deal were not disclosed, Nike told CNN in a statement: “Michael acknowledges his past mistakes. We do not condone those actions, but we support the positive changes he has made to better himself off the field.” Vick, for his part, says, “I am thrilled to be on the Nike roster.”
Yet, not everyone is so forgiving. A Facebook campaign to boycott Nike has already been launched, and high-profile opponents are voicing their disgust on Twitter. This week “One Tree Hill's” Sophia Bush tweeted, “NIKE just signed Michael Vick!? Done. Over. Lost customer. NEVER wearing Nike again”; “Playboy Club's” Jenna Dewan-Tatum tweeted, “Playing football again in NFL is second chance. having fans is second chance. NOT role model endorsement deals”; and”Big Bang Theory's” Kaley Cuoco wrote simply, “Dear Nike, I'm disappointed.”
[mashshare]
