LOS ANGELES (AP) — Just do it. Just drop Michael Vick.
That's the message from animal rights activists to sports apparel giant Nike over its endorsement deal with the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
Protesters say they may boycott Nike products until the company ends its relationship with Vick, who faces arraignment this week on federal charges that he led a dogfighting operation.
Nike officials said last week it will not release a new edition of Vick's signature shoe, but other products bearing Vick's name will remain in stores. The company said it's aware of the indictment and is ''reviewing the information,'' but declined to comment on whether Vick's deal is in jeopardy.
Over the weekend, protesters rallied in front of Nike's Beaverton, Ore., headquarters, and others took to the Internet. One Yahoo! message board post reads, ''If they don't cancel his endorsement contract - buy Reebook!''
It's hardly the first such effort targeting Nike. Below, asap takes score of previous boycotts and protests aimed at one of the world's most recognized shoe companies:
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STANDING BY BRYANT
When Kobe Bryant was arrested for alleged rape of a woman at a Colorado resort lodge in 2003, Nike stood by its man — sort of. Though Nike didn't use the Los Angeles Lakers star's image in advertising for a full two years, it also didn't drop his $45 million endorsement contract.
A boycott effort failed to pick up steam, and fizzled out entirely when the criminal charges against Bryant were dropped.
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AIR AND ALLAH
In 1997, Nike was forced to recall of more than 38,000 pairs of shoes with the word ''Air'' written in flames. The reason? Some Muslims said the writing appeared to resemble the word ''Allah.''
Under a written agreement with the Council on American-Islamic Relation, Nike also apologized to Muslims for the unintentional offense. In return, CAIR asked Muslims worldwide not to boycott Nike products.
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THE PRODUCERS
Throughout the 1990s, Nike was dogged by human rights advocates calling for a boycott of products over allegations of ''worker exploitation'' in factories in foreign countries, particularly Asia and Latin America.
Since then, Nike officials have said they have been working to improve conditions for their 800,000 factory workers. The company said it eliminated excessive overtime and allowed for training on workers' right to unionize.
In 2005, Nike disclosed the names and locations of factories that produce its sneakers, apparel and other products — at the time, a first for the industry.
But labor rights groups continue calls for boycotts on the Internet, saying the company still underpays and overworks its employees.
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Chelsea J. Carter is asap's Los Angeles-based projects writer.
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The 411
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BEBETO MATTHEWS
July 26, 2007
A Nike protest rundown
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A Nike protest rundown
Just do it. Just drop Michael Vick.
That's the message from animal rights activists to sports apparel giant Nike over its endorsement deal with the Atlanta Falcons quarterback. -
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