Shoe Drops: Nike Halts Vick Sneaker Release
Nike won't sever ties with Michael Vick but waits on releasing new shoe.
July 19, 2007 — -- Shoe and sportswear giant Nike announced Thursday that the company would suspend the release of Michael Vick's new shoe -- the Air Zoom Vick V -- but would keep its endorsement contract with the football star pending the legal resolution of his case.
"Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we considered any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent," the company said in a statement.
"We do believe that Michael Vick be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship," the statement continues. "We have, however, made the decision to suspend the release of the Zoom Vick V and related marketing communications."
Wednesday Brian Facchini, a spokesman for Nike, would not say exactly what the company planned to do, if anything, in light of the formal charges now filed against its spokesman.
The federal indictment alleging Vick's participation in organized dogfighting raised new questions about the athlete's marketability and future as a corporate pitchman.
The athletic quarterback has been a moneyed man off the field since he went No. 1 to the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL draft, inking a string of lucrative endorsement deals with major corporate sponsors. The sponsorship money is in addition to his 10-year, $130 million contract that makes him the highest-paid player in football.
Wayne Pacelle, the president of the Humane Society of the United States, sent Nike CEO Mark Parker a letter in June imploring the shoe and sportswear giant to severe ties with Vick.
"We recognize that Mr. Vick has not been charged with a crime," Pacelle wrote June 18. "But we know that Nike has high standards for its spokespersons, and we urge Nike to terminate its relationship as soon as possible."
At the time, Nike declined the request, announcing instead that the company would honor its multimillion dollar contract with Vick.
"There is no change in the status of the agreement between Nike and football player Michael Vick," a Nike spokesman told The Associated Press at the time.
"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 spokesman said.
Tuesday's indictment, however, renewed the Humane Society's efforts to pressure Nike -- and any other companies associated with Vick -- to end their deals with the star.
With the suspended sneaker release, the company took a similar approach to the Vick indictment as the NFL, which for now has said that he will be allowed to play in the 2007 season. The Falcons quarterback is expected in court on July 26, the same day the team reports to training camp.
