*Nike has a new shoe … or should we say Nike HAD a new shoe until Colin Kaepernick told them he didn’t like it and then Nike nixed the shoe.
Kaepernick’s words obviously carry a lot of weight as far as Nike is concerned. So much so that the company killed its plan to sell a flag-themed sneaker Kaepernick considered offensive.
Here’s the deal. The sneaker specialist came up with the Air Max 1 USA in celebration of the Fourth of July. The heel of the shoe featured a U.S. flag with 13 white stars in a circle, a design created during the American Revolution and commonly referred to as the Betsy Ross flag.
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After shipping the shoes to retailers, to go on sale this week, Nike suddenly changed its mind and asked retailers to return them without explaining why the people said. In fact, you won’t find the shoes on Nike’s own apps and websites, either.
“Nike has chosen not to release the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July as it featured the old version of the American flag,” a Nike spokeswoman said.
Kaepernick, who is endorsed by Nike, reportedly reached out to The Swoosh with huge concerns after images of the shoe with the Betsy Ross flag started being posted online … he thinks the imagery is offensive because of its connection to slavery.
We have to say we’re down with Kap on this issue as well now that we’ve learned that two prominent white nationalist groups — including the Patriot movement — use the flag as a symbol for their collectives.
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Bad look @Nike for these Betsy Ross Air Max. Smdh…. pic.twitter.com/u8Q8IMAUbg
— Glass City Pete (@DadudeSHONUFF81) June 25, 2019
In related news and as a direct result of the shoes being recalled, TMZ is reporting that demand for the shoe has EXPLODED … with several leaked pairs selling for more than $2,000!!!
The move almost immediately caused the shoe value to skyrocket with collectors because they essentially became a limited edition shoe … with very few pairs getting through to consumers. Before the news about Colin Kaepernick’s involvement went public, the shoes had been reselling in the $250 range … but the news about CK caused a massive shift and they’re still on fire.
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