Here’s Where the Government Banned All Nike Purchases
Nike has come under fire lately, and for good reason.
The popular sports retailer and make of some of the best-selling shoes put themselves in the middle of a maelstrom when they created a commercial with controversial ex-quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
The commercial tells the viewer to chase their dreams, even when (and if) it means sacrificing everything.
The reason this was seen as such a controversial move is that Colin Kaepernick has been a lightning rod for Conservatives because he started the kneeling during the national anthem protest that swept the NFL and other popular major sporting leagues.
The backlash from the commercial was to be expected.
Nike lost $4 billion in market cap as soon as the commercial went live a week and a half ago.
They’ve also reported an increase in online sales of roughly 37% since the commercial went live.
Pretty interesting stuff.
Especially considering that some government offices have contracts to buy Nike clothing.
One of these offices, a mayor’s office in Louisiana has banned the future purchase of Nike apparel in protest against Nike’s anti-American message.
Western Journalism writes:
In a memo to controllers of the purse strings for the town of Kenner, LA, mayor Ben Zahn said no one will be allowed to purchase Nike apparel for their parks and rec department.
“Under no circumstances will any Nike product or any product with the Nike logo be purchased or used … at any City of Kenner Recreation Facility,” Kenner Mayor Ben Zahn said in a memo to Parks and Recreation Department Director Chad Pitfield dated Sept. 5.
“The memorandum was circulated on social media, bearing the City of Kenner letterhead and Zahn’s signature,” WBRZ reported.
“The memo says that, effective immediately, any booster club operating at city recreation facilities must have their purchases of athletic equipment, including clothing or shoes, approved by Pitfield.”
Not everyone approved of Zahn’s decision.
A city councilman named Gregory Carroll took issue with the ban.
He said in a statement to the New Orleans Advocate that he was surprised by Zahn’s decision.
To clarify that it was real, he called Zahn to make sure this wasn’t an Internet hoax.
“What is this?” he told The Advocate. “We just had a council meeting Thursday. I didn’t know about this.”
But Zahn’s isn’t the only one to voice his displeasure with Nike’s swipe at American servicemen and women.
Jerry Davis, president of College of the Ozarks, quickly made a move to cut ties with Nike after the commercial was released.
He said “In their new ad campaign, we believe Nike executives are promoting an attitude of division and disrespect toward America.
If Nike is ashamed of America, we are ashamed of them,” Davis added.
Where do you stand on the issue?
