*Can you blame him? Folks are noting the gloating by LeBron James in the wake of Nike‘s stock shares hitting an all-time high in the wake of the company’s ad campaign featuring Colin Kaepernick.
If you missed the news, Nike closed at $83.47 Thursday for the first time ever just eight days after the orange a-hole in the White House told the world that the company was “getting absolutely killed” because of “anger and boycotts” over its ad campaign. Wrong! On Friday, shares closed in regular trading at $83.49, although the stock price slipped a bit in after-hours trading.
Nike launched its Colin Kaepernick ad ten days ago. Today, the stock hit an all-time high https://t.co/2CEJ9dhgZ3 pic.twitter.com/rhqi9q8233
— Bloomberg Markets (@markets) September 13, 2018
As we’ve reported, the ad features the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback and the movement he launched by taking a knee during the national anthem before NFL games to protest racial injustice.
“Well I mean I guess WE’RE on [fire],” gushed James on Twitter, adding the hashtag ”#JokesOnYou.” James, who has signed a lifelong contract with Nike, also appears in the ad campaign.
Well I mean I guess WE’RE on ????????. ???? #JokesOnYou #NikeLifer✔️ https://t.co/OVPP54a3hz
— LeBron James (@KingJames) September 14, 2018
Nike’s online sales also jumped nearly a third as the ad was launched.
Trump has long railed at the athletes and the National Football League, calling on owners to fire players who don’t stand for the anthem. (In a CNBC interview Thursday, new Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper called attacks on “patriotic” protesting players the “biggest pile of bull-dinky.”)
Lebron James was just interviewed by the dumbest man on television, Don Lemon. He made Lebron look smart, which isn’t easy to do. I like Mike!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2018
And of course Trump is also not a fan of James. He maligned the intelligence of the new Lakers star as well as CNN host Don Lemon, who interviewed James last month, via a tweet that triggered outcries of racism against Trump. Lemon accused the president of “trafficking in racism.”
Just like the NFL, whose ratings have gone WAY DOWN, Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts. I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way? As far as the NFL is concerned, I just find it hard to watch, and always will, until they stand for the FLAG!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018
Kaepernick celebrated the Nike news by retweeting a Complex video about the sportswear company’s rising fortunes.
Nike is only going up. ? pic.twitter.com/xSnN8GceDc
— Complex (@Complex) September 14, 2018
James’ Twitter followers are feeling his tweet, toot.
— Oppositionista (@BlueWaveYes) September 14, 2018
My brand new Nikes!!!! pic.twitter.com/cgTpn0Fm6J
— Jean Meyer (@jamatlarge28) September 14, 2018
Put in #Nikes today for first time in over a decade and they feel great! Both as shoes and as supporting a company not afraid to take on hate. @Kaepernick7 #KneelwithKap pic.twitter.com/EnoRt9SMnf
— alkn (@alkarakasn) September 14, 2018
