Michael Vick’s Nike contract was one of the many things Vick lost recently. But a new Michael Vick Nike contract may be close, despite denials from Nike. Michael Vick getting another Nike contract isn’t a good pr move right now, of course. Even if there is a new Michael Vick Nike contract coming, the shoe giant is denying all reports. But if Nike does give Michael Vick a new contract, it opens up another debate over what Vick really deserves now that he’s back in football.
The Michael Vick Nike contract rumors started yesterday, when the quarterback’s agent claimed that he had been resigned as a company spokesman. When Vick got himself locked up for dog fighting, among the many things he lost was his endorsement deal with the shoe company.
Now that Vick is back on the field, he is trying to get back to his old position of power. Being a Nike spokesman again would do just that, but Nike released a statement today saying they did not bring him back. Instead, they claim that they gave Vick some Nike supplies, but will not let him officially endorse Nike products – not yet, anyway.
If reports of a Michael Vick Nike contract were true, however, it would put Nike square in the cross hairs of the Vick protestors. Many are still uneasy that he is even back in football with the Philadelphia Eagles to begin with, so having him get endorsement dollars from a major company would be even more unsettling to them.
Vick is still trying to pay off his debts, so getting a new Nike contract would be very significant to him. There’s still no guarantee that he can work it off on the field, as it may still take a long time for Vick to make a significant difference for the Eagles. He only took a few snaps against the Chiefs last week with little impact, and the Eagles are currently more focused on getting Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook healthy at the moment.
Doing anything of value on the field might make companies a little less reluctant to attach themselves to Vick. The Eagles ultimately took a chance on him because of his valued play before he went to jail. No matter what his infamy, his name is still a big draw, and that alone might make advertisers take him back eventually. All it takes is one company to make the first move, much like the Eagles did.
Nike was reported to be that company, but they say there is no new Michael Vick contract to speak of. That doesn’t mean there might not be one down the road, depending on the future.
Sources
Ad Age- “NFL: Nike Denies Endorsement Deal With Michael Vick” adage.com/article
Chicago Tribune- “Nike: No endorsement deal with Michael Vick, just supplies” www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/sns-ap-fbn-vick-nike,0,1907899.story
