10.02.09 NIKE: NO ‘CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP’ WITH VICK

Nike was quick to refute a report from the camp of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. After Michael Principe from Vick’s agency, “BEST,” announced that Vick “actually just became a Nike client” and that he had “a new deal with Nike that we’re all very pleased about,” the Oregon-based shoe and apparel company responded.

A statement e-mailed to SportsBusiness Journal [yesterday] morning was short and to the point: “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.” via.

While Principe’s statement wasn’t necessarily false, it was certainly misleading enough to warrant a response from Nike to distance itself from Principe’s client. And while many feel that Vick deserves a chance to rebuild his life through reviving his football career, his consideration as a product pitchman left a bitter taste in the mouths of some. Although I would love to see Nike make a dogfighting commercial, if only to send John Lennon spinning in his grave.