Visits: 11
“I stand with Nike, all day, every day,” James, a leading voice in the N.B.A. on social issues, said Tuesday night while accepting an award for contributing to fashion and philanthropy.
After winning her quarterfinal match at the United States Open on Tuesday night, Williams said, “Having a huge company back him, you know, could be a controversial reason for this company, but they’re not afraid.”
Already, the ad campaign with Mr. Kaepernick has elevated an issue that has vexed the N.F.L. for the past two years.
This summer, in response to player protests, the N.F.L. instituted a rule requiring players to either stand on the field or remain in the locker room during the national anthem. The rule took the N.F.L. Players Association by surprise. It threatened to sue, and several team owners said they would not fine their players for breaking the rule. The league agreed to halt its implementation and begin a dialogue with the players’ union over the issue.
As the season begins, the two sides have yet to agree on a long-term solution.
Other than its news releases and the brief comment, Nike has remained largely silent about the campaign. Its longtime advertising agency, Wieden+Kennedy, which produced the ad, referred all comments to Nike.
In a news release accompanying the ad on Wednesday, Nike said: “For 30 years, the ‘Just Do It’ mantra has been a motivational call for athletes nationwide, across all sports, and all levels of play. To celebrate that rich diversity, the second film in the JDI series, ‘Dream Crazy,’ focuses on a collection of stories that represent athletes who are household names and those who should be. The common denominator: All leverage the power of sport to move the world forward.”