Nike's new $50 Colin Kaepernick t-shirt sells out in less than a day as the apparel company attempts to capitalize on the publicity from its latest 'Just Do It' ad campaign

After introducing Colin Kaepernick as the new face of its 'Just Do It' ad campaign in September, Nike released a long-sleeved black t-shirt with the controversial free agent quarterback's name emblazoned in reflective lettering along the back on Thursday, and the $50 item sold out within only a few hours.

At first glance, the shirt is simple. But upon closer inspection, one can find his silhouette on the tag, along with a quote from his Nike ad emblazoned along the sleeve: 'Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.'

Nike devotees may have already been tipped off to the shirt's imminent release recently when Los Angeles Lakers star and Kaepernick supporter LeBron James was seen wearing it on October 4, before a preseason game. James is, of course, also a Nike-sponsored athlete. 

 

'The Nike Sportswear T-Shirt displays several Colin Kaepernick logos on a blend of comfortable fabrics,' reads the description on Nike's website. 'Reflective lettering spells out "Kaepernick" across the back to help you stand out.'

 

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback ignited a nationwide controversy in 2016 when he decided to protest inequality and racist police brutality by refusing to stand during the national anthem. 

He has remained a free agent since opting out of his contract in March of 2017, and is currently suing the NFL, accusing all 32 owners of colluding against him in retaliation for starting the controversial protests, which other players have continued into the 2018 season.

Nike signed Kaepernick in 2011, but had not utilized him over the last two years. The apparel giant has been making all NFL jerseys since 2012 and signed an eight-year extension with the league in March.

Nike's stock initially shot up from $78.73 a share when the campaign was announced on September 3 to as high as $85.69 on September 19. However, the price has fallen to $73.47 as of Wednesday.

'We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward,' Gino Fisanotti, Nike's vice president of brand for North America, told ESPN in September.

'We wanted to energize its meaning and introduce 'Just Do It' to a new generation of athletes,' added Fisanotti, who said the campaign is aimed at 15- to 17-year olds.

Since starting the demonstrations during the 2016 NFL preseason, Kaepernick has been joined by scores of other NFL players in the face of intense criticism, namely from President Donald Trump, who has referred to the protesters as 'sons of b******.'

The 'Kaepernick' lettering along the back is dark, but it is reflective under bright lights

In early August, Trump demanded on Twitter that the '$40,000,000 commissioner' of the NFL, Roger Goodell, suspend players for a whole season if they kneel during national anthem more than once.

'The NFL National Anthem Debate is alive and well again - can't believe it!,' Trump wrote in the tweet.

The demonstrations were primarily a reaction to the deaths of African-American men at the hands of law enforcement.

The NFL is still working towards a resolution on a national anthem policy. In May the owners announced a new set of rules allowing players to remain in the locker room during the anthem while requiring any team personnel on the field to stand. Teams with personnel in violation of the new policy would have been subject to fines, and those teams would have the right to fine their own players as they saw fit.

Since then the league and the NFL Players Association met in East Rutherford, New Jersey to work towards a compromise on the issue, although no new rule is expected before the end of the season.

 

Reference

Alex Raskin (2018, October 25), Nike's new $50 Colin Kaepernick t-shirt sells out in less than a day as the apparel company attempts to capitalize on the publicity from its latest 'Just Do It' ad campaign, Retrieved from Dailymail.com, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6317507/Nikes-new-50-Colin-Kaepernick-t-shirt-sells-day.html

 

Vocabulary

Introducing

After introducing Colin Kaepernick as the new face

avoir introduit 

Emblazonedin

free agent quarterback's name emblazonedin reflective lettering along the back

blasonné

Sacrificing

even if it means sacrificing everything.

sacrifé

Devotees

Nike devotees may have already been tipped off to the shirt's

dédié

Controversy

The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback ignited a nationwide controversy in 2016

contreverse 

Remained

He has remained a free agent since opting out of his contract

demeuré

Currently

and is currently suing the NFL

couramment 

Retaliation

accusing all 32 owners of colluding against him in retaliation for starting the controversial protests

représaille 

Apparel

The apparel giant has been making all NFL jerseys

habit 

Extension

signed an eight-year extension with the league in March

prolongement 

Campaign

when the campaign was announced

campagne 

Inspirational

'We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes

inspirant 

Energize

'We wanted to energize its meaning and introduce

Energiser 

Introduce

'We wanted to energize its meaning and introduce

introduire 

Criticism

other NFL players in the face of intense criticism

critique 

Protesters

who has referred to the protesters as 'sons of b******.'

protestant 

Suspend

suspend players for a whole season if they kneel during national anthem more than once.

suspendu 

Primarily

The demonstrations were primarily a reaction to the deaths of African-American men

premièrement 

In the locker room

announced a new set of rules allowing players to remain in the locker room

dans le vestiaire