Nike executives reportedly considered scrapping the Colin Kaepernick campaign

pulse

September 27, 2018 2:23 PM

Nike executives reportedly nearly scrapped their controversial ad campaign starring Colin Kaepernick, as they feared backlash from those criticising the NFL player for kneeling during the national anthem. Nike insiders told The New York Times a senior official persuaded the others to sick with it.

The Kaepernick advert in San Francisco.

Nike almost scrapped its controversial Colin Kaepernick campaign over fears people would be angry with the brand for associating with him.
The New York Times was told by Nike insiders that officials were concerned with the backlash of the campaign, but that a senior executive persuaded colleagues to keep it alive.
The campaign launched on September 5 and led with a photo of Kaepernick with the caption: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything."
Military families and commentators felt Kaepernick hadn't sacrificed very much.

Nike executives were reportedly close to scrapping their campaign staring Colin Kaepernick in September because they feared they would be slammed by those who think kneeling for the anthem is un-American.

The New York Times said on Thursday that it spoke to two Nike insiders with information about a high-level meeting where executives came close to cutting ties with Kaepernick.

The Times report said that a top communications executive at the Oregon-based sportswear company persuaded colleagues to keep Kaepernick on board.

The worries about the advertisement came as Nike feared negative publicity from those who don't support Kaepernick's decision to kneel.

Eric Reid #35 and Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel on September 18, 2016. BusinessInsider

Part of the commercial and poster, released on September 5, said: "Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything," which prompted people to burn Nike products and demand people boycott the brand.

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