Nike Postpones Vick's Latest Shoe After Indictment (Update1)
By Aaron Kuriloff
<!-- WARNING: #foreach: $wnstory.ATTS: null at /bb/data/web/templates/webmacro_en/20601079.wm:262.19 -->July 19 (Bloomberg) -- Nike Inc. suspended the introduction of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's latest shoe two days after a federal grand jury indicted him for allegedly conspiring to run a dog-fighting operation from a home he owned in Virginia.
Nike, the world's largest athletic-shoe maker, is concerned about the ``highly disturbing allegations'' and decided to postpone the release of Vick's shoe, spokesman Dean Stoyer said today. The shoe would be the National Football League player's fifth for the company.
``We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore we have not terminated our relationship,'' Stoyer said in a statement. ``We have, however, made the decision to suspend the release of the Zoom Vick V and related marketing communications.''
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who was on vacation when a grand jury indicted Vick and three other men July 17, said the team needed to consider ``a wide range of interests and legal issues'' before deciding how to respond to the situation, ``including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to.''
``Also, this situation affects everyone -- our club, our players and associates, our sponsors, our fans and the Atlanta community among them -- so we must consider all our customers in making any decisions,'' Blank said in a statement.
Arraignment Next Week
Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike will also continue to monitor Vick's legal situation, Stoyer said. Vick is scheduled for arraignment next week.
Vick has worked with Nike throughout his six NFL seasons. The company based several advertisements around him, one which was dubbed ``The Michael Vick Experience.''
Nike suspended its relationship with Olympic- and world- champion sprinter Justin Gatlin last summer after he was banned from track for eight years for testing positive for excessive levels of testosterone.
Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, in June sent a letter to Nike asking the company to disassociate itself from Vick. Pacelle said that the group was asking Vick's sponsors to drop him and called for his suspension from the NFL.
`Dark Cloud'
``This goes beyond the pale,'' Pacelle said in an interview. ``I don't see how this guy can suit up with this dark cloud hanging over him.''
Russell Simmons, chairman of Rush Communications and co- founder of Def Jam Recordings, joined Pacelle, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals President Ingrid Newkirk in signing a letter July 18 to the league and Vick's sponsors calling dog fighting ``an atrocity.''
``We will evaluate and monitor the prosecutors and judges responsible for protecting the innocent and helpless,'' said a copy of the letter posted on PETA's web site.
AirTran Airways, which has a hub in Atlanta, said in May that it wouldn't renew its sponsorship agreement with Vick, who appeared in billboards and radio advertisements. Vick's publicist blamed AirTran after the quarterback failed to arrive to speak before Congress the previous month.
Another company shown as a sponsor on Vick's web site, Coca-Cola Co.'s Powerade, ended dealings with Vick three years ago when it changed its marketing strategy, spokeswoman Susan Stribling said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Kuriloff in New York at akuriloff@bloomberg.net .
Last Updated: July 19, 2007 17:09 EDT
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&refer=home&sid=a5v.zKfkhCKY
By Aaron Kuriloff
<!-- WARNING: #foreach: $wnstory.ATTS: null at /bb/data/web/templates/webmacro_en/20601079.wm:262.19 -->July 19 (Bloomberg) -- Nike Inc. suspended the introduction of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's latest shoe two days after a federal grand jury indicted him for allegedly conspiring to run a dog-fighting operation from a home he owned in Virginia.
Nike, the world's largest athletic-shoe maker, is concerned about the ``highly disturbing allegations'' and decided to postpone the release of Vick's shoe, spokesman Dean Stoyer said today. The shoe would be the National Football League player's fifth for the company.
``We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore we have not terminated our relationship,'' Stoyer said in a statement. ``We have, however, made the decision to suspend the release of the Zoom Vick V and related marketing communications.''
Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who was on vacation when a grand jury indicted Vick and three other men July 17, said the team needed to consider ``a wide range of interests and legal issues'' before deciding how to respond to the situation, ``including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to.''
``Also, this situation affects everyone -- our club, our players and associates, our sponsors, our fans and the Atlanta community among them -- so we must consider all our customers in making any decisions,'' Blank said in a statement.
Arraignment Next Week
Beaverton, Oregon-based Nike will also continue to monitor Vick's legal situation, Stoyer said. Vick is scheduled for arraignment next week.
Vick has worked with Nike throughout his six NFL seasons. The company based several advertisements around him, one which was dubbed ``The Michael Vick Experience.''
Nike suspended its relationship with Olympic- and world- champion sprinter Justin Gatlin last summer after he was banned from track for eight years for testing positive for excessive levels of testosterone.
Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society of the United States, in June sent a letter to Nike asking the company to disassociate itself from Vick. Pacelle said that the group was asking Vick's sponsors to drop him and called for his suspension from the NFL.
`Dark Cloud'
``This goes beyond the pale,'' Pacelle said in an interview. ``I don't see how this guy can suit up with this dark cloud hanging over him.''
Russell Simmons, chairman of Rush Communications and co- founder of Def Jam Recordings, joined Pacelle, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals President Ingrid Newkirk in signing a letter July 18 to the league and Vick's sponsors calling dog fighting ``an atrocity.''
``We will evaluate and monitor the prosecutors and judges responsible for protecting the innocent and helpless,'' said a copy of the letter posted on PETA's web site.
AirTran Airways, which has a hub in Atlanta, said in May that it wouldn't renew its sponsorship agreement with Vick, who appeared in billboards and radio advertisements. Vick's publicist blamed AirTran after the quarterback failed to arrive to speak before Congress the previous month.
Another company shown as a sponsor on Vick's web site, Coca-Cola Co.'s Powerade, ended dealings with Vick three years ago when it changed its marketing strategy, spokeswoman Susan Stribling said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Aaron Kuriloff in New York at akuriloff@bloomberg.net .
Last Updated: July 19, 2007 17:09 EDT
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&refer=home&sid=a5v.zKfkhCKY
