Agent: Michael Vick reaches endorsement deal with Nike

[underpants]

Source: USA Today

Once-disgraced quarterback Michael Vick has reached an endorsement deal with Nike, two years after sponsors abandoned him following his conviction in a federal dogfighting ring.

Mike Principe, the managing director for the BEST agency that represents Vick, announced the deal on stage at a forum run by SportsBusiness Journal. He would not reveal details about the deal.

"Mike has had a great relationship with Nike and is excited to be part of the Nike team again," Vick's personal agent, Joel Segal, told SBJ. Segal told the paper Nike and Vick had agreed not to discuss terms of the deal.

Vick will wear Nike clothing and use its equipment as part of the deal. The quarterback "has always been a fan of the brand and looks forward to the relationship," Segal told SBJ.

Read more: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/09/agent-michael-vick-signs-endorsement-deal-with-nike/1

[villager]

1. the love story with capitalism just keeps unfolding!

Sell sell sell!

[CountAllVotes]

2. Once-disgraced quarterback Michael Vick

:wtf: Since when has he been freed of his legacy of crimes and torture against dogs?

Michael Vick I hope you rot in hell!

Boycott Nike! :grr:

:dem:

[bbinacan]

17. The guy did his time. n/t

[MissDeeds]

23. And so did the dogs n/t

[bbinacan]

26. Yep, and your point is?

[MissDeeds]

27. Really, you need that clarified?

:eyes:

[bbinacan]

33. I suppose so.

Was his crime disgusting? Yes. Did he pay his debt to society? Yes. Who are you? Judge, jury, and executioner? I think you are.

[MissDeeds]

34. Um, no

That would be Vick.

[bbinacan]

36. As well as you. n/t

[DoctorMyEyes]

43. So we're supposed to emulate him?

Isn't that the point of paying someone to endorse your product? Because you want people to buy your products in order to emulate/imitate the endorser?

Yes, he did his time. That makes him a free man able to re-enter society and earn his living. But, it doesn't make him a hero, and inspiration, or anything else to emulate.

[JonLP24]

56. If people were to emulate him

They would be going to various places across the country to speak to young people about the ills of dogfighting.

[Lucky Luciano]

59. I would not mind if vick were victimized like his dogs.

He should have done 20+ years - seriously.

[The Stranger]

80. He did whose time? He certainly do enough time for me and many others.

Besides, he's a convicted felon and an abomination. The issue is whether you should pay millions of dollars to an abomination, when millions are going without this winter.

[bbinacan]

108. I have an idea

try speaking English.
"He did whose time? He certainly do enough time for me and many others." What exactly does that mean?

[MissMillie]

111. Never liked their shoes anyway

Tough to boycott what you weren't buying to begin with.

[WriteDown]

3. Will the ads have him kicking a dog in his....

Air Vicks?

[LeFleur1]

84. That Was My Thought

Nikes must be good for kicking dogs.

[CountAllVotes]

4. one for the road

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :mad:

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. I hope a rabid dog chews his Nike's off.

[flvegan]

6. Like Nike has any sort of conscious reputation to think about.

I'd not be shocked to see Polanski with a contract with the "Just Do It" morons.

[PassingFair]

78. I've been "boycotting" Nike for over 10 years....

since I found out about the sweatshops and
child labor violations, and how, even AFTER
being exposed, they would close up one factory
and open another, away from scrutiny.

My kids always wanted Nike stuff for soccer
and their other sports needs, but they learned
eventually to just bypass the Nike crap.

They are a truly disgusting company.

[Ignis]

101. That sounds like a call for a SwampRat creation!

Scary thought it may be... :scared:

[olddad56]

7. alright, finally the arrival of the Nike 'Pit Bull' dog fighting shoe.

[olddad56]

8. I think I have hit my last Nike Golf Ball.

[CountAllVotes]

9. good for you!

I'll never buy Nike anything again!

BOYCOTT NIKE!!!

:kick:

[Gin]

11. hell why not??? there were no consequences for the banksters

and they didn't serve any time.....at least he paid a price....(I'm not condoning him or this new offer)

Anything and everything for a buck! What a world!!!

[kestrel91316]

10. Well, there's a brand I'll never again buy. Not like I could afford them anyway....

[virgogal]

12. Is this a joke? Well I don't find it very funny.

[alcibiades_mystery]

13. Vick's agent is a friggin' genius

Jerry McGuire on 'roids.

Best comeback story of the year.

[underpants]

15. I am personally shocked that he hasn't started a clothes line

there is a huge mark-up in clothes

the 7 brand would sell a lot

:shrug:

[robcon]

81. I think he will start up other things.

He's a popular guy, and his second-chance comeback is wonderful to watch.

[robcon]

82. I think he's using his 'second-chance' very well.

I hope he's successful.

[Vinnie From Indy]

32. Regardless of your opinion of Vick, his agent must be something else!

I am sure the pitch was astounding!

[alcibiades_mystery]

46. My opinion of Vick is generally favorable

He committed a crime. He did his time. Now he's getting on with his life.

Many many people on this board need to get a life themselves.

[Lucky Luciano]

60. Some of us just love dogs whereas you are indifferent to them.

[alcibiades_mystery]

71. I'm indifferent to dogs?

:wtf:

What a bizarre thing to say.

[Lucky Luciano]

74. Let's put it this way. I would have wanted vick to get 25 to life.

He didn't just kill one dog - he murdered many. He got off way too easy.

[alcibiades_mystery]

75. Oh, I know perfectly well

of most people's ludicrous response to this crime.

[Lucky Luciano]

76. ...and if you were not indifferent, you would feel the same way.

I own a pit bull. She is such a wonderful dog, but if some worthless thug stole her for dogfighting and I found out, I would execute him. A two year prison sentence is BS. If you were not indifferent you would want him to do at LEAST ten years. I do know vick had a lot of debt. I hope all the money goes to his creditors. I hope his life ends in ruin.

[alcibiades_mystery]

79. Nonsense

I can be empathetic to the suffering of dogs and still feel that two years is appropriate as a prison sentence for this kind of behavior.

You sound like a lunatic.

[liquid diamond]

62. I'm with you. Some people will never get over it. Tough shit for them.

I'm glad to see Vick's life is moving in a positive direction.

[customerserviceguy]

63. There's a vast difference

between being allowed out of prison because you did your time, and making a buttload of money endorsing some overpriced footware produced for a few dollars by children overseas in a sweatshop.

I haven't bought any Nike crap for a couple of decades or so, since I only have a few decades left in my life, it won't be hard to avoid them for the rest of it.

[alcibiades_mystery]

70. I don't buy Nike either

It seems neither here nor there, though.

[HuckleB]

103. He's just a liar.

http://views.washingtonpost.com/theleague/panelists/2009/10/nike-michael-vick-eagles-endorsement-maloni.html

[KansDem]

14. This'll give new meaning to the old phrase, "Man, my dogs are tired!"

But really, I'm surprised Nike would go for this promotion so soon after Vick's release...

[Still Blue in PDX]

16. If I didn't already hold Nike in the deepest disregard, this would clinch it.

:puke:

[Arugula Latte]

18. Disgusting.

Fuck you Vick, and Fuck you too to Nike.

I hope this blows up in their face. :nuke:

[emilyg]

19. What you said.

[GirlAfire]

73. +1 n/t

[mikelgb]

20. I always wanted puppy-skin Nikes

[underpants]

29. OOOh great marketing idea! a real person-cartoon campaign

[mitchum]

21. When you use slave labor for manufacturing, what's a few dead dogs?

[uncle ray]

99. amazing isn't it?

how many of us didn't care about Nike's human rights abuses, child slave labor, etc. but suddenly care when they hire a dog abuser. nike has probably worked more children to death than vick has killed dogs.

no doubt nike's accountants and marketing people have rightfully concluded that their core market doesn't really give a damn about anything at all but sports and overpriced shoes.

[robo50]

22. OK, why do I feel that this is the death of NIKE? What a stupid..

move for NIKE!

End of a stupid shoe company that exploited people in China and the third world.

Now we will sue the stupid people who approved this deal. Lawsuits until the end of time!

This is just plain stupidity on the part of NIKE, and ego, on the part of convicted criminal.

Never ever buy NIKE again!

Send a copy of this message to NIKE.

[MissDeeds]

24. I will never buy Nike again

And will actively campaign against them in my own small way.

[CountAllVotes]

25. every person makes a difference!

thanks for joining this cause! We need you, oh yes we do!! :D

:kick:

[MissDeeds]

28. Thanks

I have a lot of contacts and will spread the word. For someone who deliberately and repeatedly tortured animals to be rewarded is beyond disgusting.

[safeinOhio]

38. I heard a show on NPR

a few days ago. A couple of ex-dog fighters that have joined the Humane Society to now help others turn around and fight against dog fighting. Both said nothing was ever done until Vick got busted and made every one think about what they were doing. A man blows 100million because of his involvement with the sport of fighting dogs. Now the FBI is busting dog fighters. The one guy from Chicago said cops would never stop him when they saw him with a injured dog before Vicks' bust. Now having a fighting dog will get you as much time as dope and gang banging.

I don't approve of what he did in any way. However, changes for the good are coming out of this. Turns out he was about the only dog fighter in the country who getting busted may have saved millions of dogs from this crap.

[customerserviceguy]

64. Michael Vick showing fake repentance is one thing

Making an assload of money for being some kind of "example" is completely another.

[Auggie]

30. Count me in

[ro1942]

58. Add me in on that to, no to Nike

He did his time but he's still the same person.

[Auggie]

31. Nike World Headquarters: 1-503-671-6453; Nike Consumer Services: 1-800-344-NIKE

[robo50]

52. Are you suggesting we jam their phone lines??? OK! I love that idea!

[Auggie]

89. To call and complain

[NeoConsSuck]

35. Nike is foolish

there is a recent topic right now in LBN where Sarah Palin is not a big sell on the talk circuit because she is a polarizing figure. If you want to sell a product, common sense dictates that you cast a wide net, appeal to as many as you can, and not offend anyone.

How many are going to buy Nike only because Vick endorses it? How many will avoid it because Vick endorses it?

[JonLP24]

37. While people are boycotting Nike

Michael Vick is advocating against dogfighting. One of many appearances.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/09/michael-vick-tells-dc-crowd-ills-of-dogfighting-says-he-hid-enterprise-from-his-fiancee/1

[safeinOhio]

40. see post 38

Strange how this might turn out.

[robo50]

53. Yeah, I'm sure impressed with THAT! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JonLP24]

55. He's doing more then me

in trying to stop dogfighting. He has been doing a lot of community outreach speaking to kids directly and the humane society has praised his ability to reach an audience they had difficulties in the past of reaching.

The Humane Society's mission statement is to end the mistreatment of animals so if they are impressed with who Vick gets the message across that is good enough isn't it. How many events have you attended? Who have you spoken to discourage kids from going into this life.

Protesting Vick rather then dogfighting I guess is the more popular thing to do. Anyways no matter what you or anyone does Vick will continue his message as he as already been active the entire summer attending events and speaking out against the ills of dogfighting all over the country to kids usually in low-income areas where they never see pro athletes.

[robo50]

61. Then you need to spend 10 minutes a week saving dogs.

Cause that would exceed anything we see from that thug Vick.

Have you got a monitor on him 24/7?

When did he last save a dog's life?

[customerserviceguy]

65. He needs to do more than you

I presume you've never abused dogs in the past. He has a whole lot to do before he's held up as some sort of ideal who would normally be able to endorse a product.

When I think of how much hell Michael Phelps got from those firms he got endorsement contracts from for just smoking a fucking bong, this makes me a bit crazy.

[Brickbat]

39. I have to say I find the slave labor Nike uses a little more outrageous than Vick's dog-fighting.

YMMV.

[DoctorMyEyes]

44. That's why I can't boycott Nike

I've never bought a Nike product and never will. I do hope this turns out to be the straw that breaks that ugly proverbial camels back.

[robo50]

54. I bought one once, before the facts came out, NEVER AGAIN!

Didn't we say that about concentration camps in Germany some time back? I seem to recall.

[Brickbat]

57. Same here. I had a pair back in the day, before I knew. But I read the labels now of everything I

buy. I doubt Vick's endorsement will break its back, however. Most people just don't care.

[orpupilofnature57]

41. And they wonder why the world has gone to the dogs ,Corporate Misanthropy

or I mean Profiting off of misery.

[williesgirl]

42. Anything in my closet w/Nike on it is now FUCKING GONE. I'll never buy anything w/their name on it

again. Those greedy fucking bastards. I hope their CEO meets up with a pitbull and he locks his fucking jaws on the bastard's testicles. Rec'd

[Mad_Dem_X]

45. I guess it's time to boycott Nike.

Not that I ever bought any of their stuff, but now I most definitely won't.

[UTUSN]

47. Are they made out of skins/hides?!1 n/t

[Gedankenaustausch]

48. that's good

It's always good to see somebody who did something like this do their time, rebound back, advocate against doing what he did. A lot of good can come from his experience. He can influence a lot of people that are involved in this sick business, especially to kids that may look up to the sorry excuses for people. It's sad that all those dogs had to suffer, it really torments me, brings me to tears, but I'm glad that Vick is starting to prove himself by speaking out against what he did. He can be a great asset in the fight against animal abuse. I hope it continues.

[alcibiades_mystery]

50. Don't talk sense

You'll anger the frothing mob.

[Gedankenaustausch]

51. ouch

yeah i didn't see the other comments... maybe I should delete it so I don't get hanged in effigy.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

49. "I've done terrible things, I want to be a better person, I want my endorsement deals back"

And I know that someone's thinking "Do you KNOW Michael Vick? Do you KNOW what he's thinking?" But they're too busy replying to the "Free Roman Polanski" threads to notice MY humble comments.

:rofl:

"I've always been a fan of the brand, and I love a good dog fight."

I'm so happy for Michael I could wet myself. He's a hero and a role model and we should all send him large sums of money.

:eyes:

[TygrBright]

66. Great! If I ever feel like kicking a dog, I'll check into Nike's latest offerings. n/t

[pinniped]

67. I might have to re-boycott Nike.

Nah, I haven't bought any Nike branded apparel in years.

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22J7X2vdjIE&feature=related

[umaine79]

68. Something to put on those tired dogs

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

69. I'm tossing out my golf bag and switching to a different golf ball.

[alcibiades_mystery]

72. Can you toss it in my yard?

Thanks.

On edit: That's what she said.

[Vinca]

77. Add Nike to the boycott list.

[Coventina]

83. I guess Nike is going after the thug demographic.

Sounds like a great business model. Good luck with that!

:eyes:

[mudderfudder77]

86. What?

What is the 'Thug' demographic?

[Coventina]

94. Anyone who thinks it's okay to wear apparel connected to a person

who used to torture, mutilate, and kill dogs, who actually LAUGHED while watching dogs suffer and die, who only stopped because he was CAUGHT, not because he realized his behavior was WRONG.

Just because he's turned over a "new leaf" now doesn't mean that he's to be admired for it. Since when does decent behavior warrant admiration? It's what is expected out of human beings in society.

Making him into some kind of hero is the wrong message. You don't get to be called a hero because you say, "Hey look! I stopped being a monster!!!"

[mudderfudder77]

85. I'm Confused

So Vick was arrested, convicted and served the sentence given to him. He was released from prison and has spent that time working with the Humane Society and speaking with young people across the country about the evils of dog fighting.

Was he supposed to stay poor as well? Was that part of the punishment not made public?

The fact that he now is able to earn more in a couple of years than most of us will in a lifetime seems to evoke some serious anger from the masses. Not anger that he's free - anger at the fact that he is earning money.

Can someone explain that?

[dropkickpa]

87. Nike's hurt my feet, so it doesn't bug me at all

I never spend money on any of their crappy overpriced products.

[hugo_from_TN]

88. Nike: There is no new endorsement deal with Michael Vick

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/nike-there-is-no-new-endorsement-deal-with-michael-vick/1

Put away those torches and pitchforks.

[Romulox]

91. Um, not quite. The story you link is self-contradictory.

From the story linked in the OP:

Claim One Nike: There is no new endorsement deal with Michael Vick"

Is there an OLD one? The qualifier "new" implies the existence of an old one...

Claim Two: "Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick."

Great! My question is answered. No contract! Right?


Claim Three: "We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike," the company said in a statement.

Perhaps the people at Nike are unaware of the meaning of "contract", but what is described here is most certainly a contract to promote Nike products.

Sorry, it's the denial that's bogus. The story in the OP would seem to be confirmed by Nikes non-denial.

[mudderfudder77]

93. Not quite

I don't know whether this article is true or not - but if it is true then Nike did not give Vick a contract for endorsement.

Nike is offering up their product to Vick in hopes that he wears it on the field - but there is no contract or requirement for him to wear the Nike gear, and he is not being paid to endorse it. Vick is getting free swag, just like High School, College, and pro players across the country/world get. Not everyone wearing Nike has a contract to endorse their products.

[Romulox]

97. The legal definition of a "contract" is nowhere near that narrowly defined.

An agreement to perform one action in return for the performance of another is a "contract".

If Nike agreed to supply equipment to Vick on the condition he wear it on field, that's a contract. If a condition of the continuing supply of equipment be that he not be seen wearing competitor's garb, that's a contract. Etc. Ad nauseum.

You (and Nike) seem to want to argue that an "endorsement contract" means an ad campaign. No.

[Renew Deal]

90. Story isn't true

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2009/10/nike-there-is-no-new-endorsement-deal-with-michael-vick/1

[Romulox]

92. From your link: "We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick ..."

"Nike does not have a contractual relationship with Michael Vick. We have agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike," the company said in a statement.

Ummm, that's a contract. With Michael Vick. And if the consideration supplied by Vick is simply wearing the stuff on camera, it's an endorsement contract. With Michael Vick.

The "denial" tends to confirm the story in the OP, in other words...

[mudderfudder77]

95. No.

I don't know that you understand what a contract is - or how sports apparel companies operate. UA, Nike, Reebok, Adidas, etc... all supply free products to athletes who are not under contract. The athletes are under no obligation to wear it and receive no compensation for wearing it (other than possibly more free swag).

This is entirely different than Nike signing an endorsement contract with Vick that requires him to wear their apparel and compensates him for doing so.

[Romulox]

98. LOL. "I don't know that you understand what a contract is..."

"The athletes are under no obligation to wear it and receive no compensation for wearing it (other than possibly more free swag)."

Errr... No offense, but I am certain that you're not an attorney. Your definition of "contract" is idiosyncratic.

[underpants]

109. Yep-I saw that headline today at lunch

well, it WAS from his agent

[superduperfarleft]

96. Seems appropriate.

Vick tortures and kills dogs.

Nike tortures and kills cows.

[Hepburn]

100. That equates to a ban on anything NIKE in my house.

Fuck Vick ~~ he is a monster in my book.

[ShadesOfGrey]

104. I'm with you! Never again will I buy anything Nike and I'll be

tossing out anything I've ever purchased with their logo on it.

[hamsterjill]

102. Gridiron Justice

I've said this before and will continue to say it: Since there hasn't been any real justice through the courts for this horrible crime (yes, Vick did serve a little time, basically a slap on the wrist), I am hoping there will be some "grid iron" justice.

Injuries happen all the time in football. Broken legs, etc.

[LanternWaste]

105. Not too tough to avoid purchasing Nike...

Not too tough to avoid purchasing Nike. It was a lot tougher to avoid watching all things NFL this year, but so far, so good.

[daleo]

106. Micheal Vick - "If your dogs are killing you, try Nike"

"Trust me, I know about killing dogs".

[ShortnFiery]

112. Arrrrrrgh!

I laughed and hated myself at the same time. :silly:

[ShortnFiery]

107. Nike is dead to me.

:thumbsup:

[Old Hob]

110. First they exploit children and now this? WTF is wrong with these ignorant assholes?