Nike released new promotional photos for the men’s Olympic basketball team. The players are wearing the Nike jerseys and warmup gear, and many are wearing Nike sneakers, too. But, some players have endorsement deals with other companies, like Adidas or Anta. And, as SB Nation pointed out in a new video, the players’ Nike sneakers strategically cover up the other brands’ logos.
Oh say can you see, America.
We are one team. #UNITE pic.twitter.com/wEJUFmPpI2— Nike Basketball (@nikebasketball) July 18, 2016
According to this video, this isn’t’ the first time Nike has pulled something like this. In its 2012 ad before the Olympics, Nike covered up Kevin Love’s sneakers with a pair of Nikes. (361 Degrees was his sponsor at the time.)
In another photo, head coach Mike Krzyzewski’s dress shoes are directly placed in front of Dwight Howard’s Adidas sneakers.
A USA tradition since 2008, when players lined up in reverse order so Coach K himself could block Dwight's adidas: pic.twitter.com/VKIHe1yH12
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) July 18, 2016
Even Michael Jordan used a U.S. flag to cover up Reebok branding when he was in the Olympics.
What do you think? Is this a fair practice by Nike?
