Reports surfaced last night that Eagles quarterback Michael Vick had signed a new endorsement deal with Nike just months after completing his two-year prison sentence for dogfighting-related crimes. But Nike moved today to deny those stories, saying it "does not have a contractual relationship" with Vick.Nike signed Vick in 2001, when he was an NFL rookie, and released several versions of Vick signature shoes. But it terminated its relationship with Vick in 2007 after the quarterback pleaded guilty to the dogfighting charge. Vick has since returned to the NFL -- on Sunday he played in his first regular-season game since 2006 -- and like many pro athletes he apparently still gets his shoes from Nike. But the company claims it has not entered into a new endorsement agreement with Vick.
More Coverage: Vick's Agent Announces Endorsement Deal
"Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick," Nike spokesman Kejuan Wilkins said in a statement released to CNBC on Thursday morning. "We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike."
The confusion stemmed from comments made Wednesday from the Vick camp. Michael Principe, who heads the New York-based agency that represents Vick in endorsement deals, reportedly announced during a panel discussion at the Sports Sponsorship Symposium that Vick was back with Nike. And Vick's agent, Joel Segal, offered a quote that seemed to back that up.
"Mike has a long-standing, great relationship with Nike, and he looks forward to continuing that relationship," Segal told the Associated Press.Upon further examination, that quote doesn't necessarily indicate that Vick and Nike have entered back into any kind of endorsement partnership (though it does indicate some hope that they might). So it's entirely possible that somebody in Vick's camp (Principe, Segal or somebody else) said something they shouldn't have said and exaggerated the facts of a renewed relationship that may not extend beyond the supplying of product.
It's also possible that Vick and Nike have had talks about a new deal and something has happened or is happening to skew or end those discussions. More on this later as it develops.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-01-2009 @ 11:07AM
charlie said...
nike, the shoe fit for a felon.
just like the philly fans players and owners who would even allow this lowlife into their stadium, nike will be judged by the company they keep.
the only thing vick is sorry about is the fact that he got caught. any money made off this piece of sh*t has blood on it. nike should use better judgement as to who present to our children as role models.
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10-01-2009 @ 12:41PM
Pimp Daddy said...
u shouldn't let nike choose who your kids role model is,u should be your kids role model. If your kids perfer MV as they'll role model,that means u're low than him.
10-02-2009 @ 6:58AM
corymia said...
Couldn't have said it better myself. I bet some idiot at Nike did make a deal not realizing that most Americans don't buy his (Vicks) crocodile tears and just wish he'd go away.
10-01-2009 @ 11:26AM
joeomar said...
If they start signing deals with whackos who enjoy torturing dogs to death, I'd go barefoot before I'd wear Nike's. Actually, I'd cut my feet off before I'd wear them.
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10-01-2009 @ 7:04PM
lrreamon said...
You are crying out for psychiatric help arent you?
10-01-2009 @ 11:29AM
ed344mu said...
Newest slogan? "Just Dog it!"
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10-01-2009 @ 12:19PM
peter said...
Those who would reject Nike for this never wore them continuously in the first place. It would be like rejecting the NFL for letting him back into the league.
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10-01-2009 @ 12:40PM
fatt404 said...
thank you
10-01-2009 @ 1:52PM
charlie said...
i can just hear the kids in the neighborhood now.
"you're my hero pimp daddy". :) :) lol
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10-01-2009 @ 8:52PM
Ski said...
NIKE you dumb asses. There are so many other good athletes out there and you had to pick a FELON? Do you really want this piece of Garbage representing your company? Get Real and pick someone else. JUST DO IT!!!!!!!
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10-01-2009 @ 9:40PM
daveenlakwood said...
I hope NLike does so I can sell Addias my new campaign slogan..... if yourr running from the law buy the new Nike Vick Criminal line shoes, but if youre not on parole we got a pair of shoes you should check out....... by the Jeff Lurie, gods answering our prayers that anyone associated with your get rich of criminals scene that the eagles have the worst things happen to them..... hows the cracked ribs feel Donovan
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10-02-2009 @ 7:49AM
fandol12 said...
charliesaid you are 100% right i hate vick and he has no remorse he's still a cold hearted bastard, i wish he would get what he did to those helpless dogs
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10-02-2009 @ 8:24AM
rugbymom said...
If ConVick endorses Nike, my family will not purchase any of their products.
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10-02-2009 @ 10:01AM
jean walter said...
Nike has lost my business. I am also spreading the word to all the other soccer/softball/scouts and PTA moms. They can't ignore all of us. Lets hurt Nike in the pocketbook. I find it hard to believe that ANY corporation would even entertain the idea of signing a murderer to endorse their product.
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10-02-2009 @ 11:43AM
william01609 said...
Nike's new slogan........Dog's stop barking when I'm wearing my new shoes....
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10-02-2009 @ 3:03PM
T3 said...
Vick has served his time and repayed his debt to society. What he did was beyond wrong, nobody argues that, but unless you suggest giving the death penalty, let him try to mske remedy with society. Unless you're perfect, he at least deserves a chance now.
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10-02-2009 @ 9:52PM
charlies said...
vick is just sorry he got caught. what he need is what he did to those dogs. to start with put him on a rape stand like he did those innocent dogs and let one of those prized pit bulls fu*k his a*s off. after that maybe he'll say he's sorry with meaning instead of the bs croc tears he shows to the media.
10-03-2009 @ 7:35PM
galtal said...
I think that Michael Vick has paid his debt. Give it a rest. I think that we in the US need to stop embracing the vigilante mentality which caused us to enslave people, discriminate against people who are different and persecute people who make mistakes far beyond what is reasonable. I say that all of you who are making these negative comments are the ones who are wacko and need psychological help.
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