Nike moves to cover rear, suspends sales of Vick gear
By Gina Spadafori
July 27, 2007
People really, really don’t like dog-fighting. Decent people, that is. And they’ve sure let Vick’s business associates know it:
Nike Inc. said Friday it suspended its contract with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick and will pull goods with his name off the shelves at stores the company owns.In a statement Friday, the company said it had not terminated the contract [...]
Other companies Vick endorses also have withdrawn their support for the quarterback. Earlier this summer, Atlanta-based AirTran did not renew its contract with Vick. Reebok said on Friday it is suspending sales of Vick jerseys.
Also, check this out on Itchmo: The notorious interview with two other NFL players, who just don’t see why there’s a big deal about all this. Yes, the clip has been around a while, but there’s a twist to it now. Go see.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=2951789
i like the way they worded (is that a word?!) their statements. hopefully other athletes will think twice about who they associate with and the activities they and their ‘friends’ are involved in. also a good message for future athletes.
i found this story ‘interesting’:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=2947882
“What really amazes me about this story — aside from the gruesome nature of the accusations — is how poorly kept Vick’s secret was. One agent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says he heard the whispers when he pursued Vick as a client shortly after Vick fired his old agent, Andre Colona, in 2004 (Vick currently is represented by Joel Segal). When the unnamed agent ran background checks on Vick, the agent’s confidant told him he’d have a hard time tracking Vick down. When the agent asked why, the confidant said, “Because he’s out in the woods fighting those dogs.”
makes me wonder what other charges will come down (by end of Aug.) and exactly what evidence they have aside from what was in the indictment.
Comment by straybaby — July 27, 2007 @ 4:28 pm
wow, talk about a snowball effect, trading card company also dropped him. same link, just updated. owner brings her 5 dogs to work . . .
“Beckett Media reported on its Web site that Donruss dropped Vick’s card at the behest of owner Ann Powell, whose five dogs accompany her to work every day and have virtually free reign inside the company’s headquarters.”
Comment by straybaby — July 27, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
stray, I’m surprised the sponsors didn’t do this sooner.
As far as I’m concerned, Vick’s life should be over.
Nothing can excuse what he’s done. Ever.
Comment by ally — July 27, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
Well, well, money talks. Nike’s actions are no surprise. Remember they’re the company that didn’t have any problem using child labor overseas until it was going to cost them more in sales than they were saving on wages.
Its no different here. Everything Nike does is based on profit. If hadn’t recieved tons of emails, call, etc. because of the hard work of the animal rights organizations, sites like Pet Connection and the Care2 Network they would have continued to sell Vick’s merchandise. Morality has never meant anything to them and it never will.
Comment by Andrea 2CatMom — July 27, 2007 @ 6:13 pm
While I know it’s all about the profit picture, right now I don’t care what the impetus is for Nike selling or not its merchandise. All I want is for Vick’s reputation to be trashed beyond repair and for him to suffer beyond belief. Hitting him in the pocketbook is a start.
Thumbs up to Nike, Reebok and everyone else who is pulling Vick-related or endorsed products.
Comment by Lynn — July 27, 2007 @ 6:52 pm
I don’t know how the game is played, but I certainly hope that there are some top-notch lawyers that will avail themselves, pro-bono, to the prosecution. In spite of tons of incriminating, undisputable evidence any prosecution might have, a shady judge or incomplete or improper processing of evidence could lose this case. Must remember, Vick can afford the best…..and the best will uncover every loophole and use it to their advantage.
Comment by Lynn — July 27, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Comment by ally — July 27, 2007 @ 5:05 pm
they may have been waiting to see what went down in court, and/or it was just a matter of getting ducks in a row and seeing where the public was falling on this.
i was thinking the league/team may not act until the first court appearance. and basically what they did was buy time, keep him off the field/out of camp until they could investigate on their own. as much as we would like immediate reaction (and of course,due process), it’s better in the long run if they take their time and explore all options. if the dude is guilty, he can’t get out and level a civil suit. if he’s acquitted, he still can’t sue, which suits me fine since it was his property/friends/etc.
Comment by straybaby — July 27, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
Among all the other odd things about this is the apology to Vick’s mother. I am amazed that his lawyer’s made such a statement. After all if you are innocent, why would you appologize?? Anyway more from MSNBC…
Vick’s Legal Dream Team
I still don’t think that Michael Vick is ever going to play football again, but even though the conviction rate is 95 percent in federal trials, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s one of the five defendants in a hundred who walks.
Justice may be blind, but it can still smell money. All you had to do was look at the crowd of suits lined up outside the Richmond, Va., courthouse after the arraignment. Five of them were stuffed with lawyers.
http://openmike.msnbc.msn.com/.....93705.aspx
Comment by schnauzer — July 27, 2007 @ 7:50 pm
Save a pit bull, neuter Michael Vick!
Many thanks to the companies that took a moral, ethical (or financial?) stand. No matter the motivation, it will help to raise awareness.
Football just ain’t what it used to be with these barbarians.
Comment by PM Hill — July 28, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
Here is what I think is going to happen: some flunky who works for Vick will take the fall for him in exchange for some money passing hands. The person will serve 3 to 5, get out and have a nice little bundle waiting for him. After all what’s a million dollars when Vick is facing the possibility of losing many more millions in advertising dollars and his career? Someone in the Vick camp has already pleaded guilty with the feds (plea deal details not available yet).
Comment by perkysmom — July 30, 2007 @ 9:10 am