Nike is deploying Colin Kaepernick as one of the faces of its 30th anniversary "Just Do It" ad campaign. Darren Rovell of ESPN is reporting that Nike has held Colin Kaepernick under contract this whole time, since they signed him to an endorsement deal at the beginning of the decade. The lifestyle brand held off until Today to announce its intentions of supporting individual athletes in their right to protest oppressive rule makers, like they did weeks ago for Serena Williams and her "catsuit" ban.
Nike signed Kaepernick in 2011 but shielded him from public view while he protested from the sidelines. "We believe Colin is one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation, who has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward," said Gino Fisanotti, Nike's vice president of brand for North America to ESPN, in a written communique.
Other pro athletes that will be featured in "subversive" campaign are Odell Beckham Jr, Shaquem Griffin, Lacey Baker, Serena Williams and LeBron James. Fisanotti says his aim with the campaign is to speak to directly to 15-17 year olds, with whom he hopes to engage in a dialogue about racial oppression..oh yeah and capitalism. Let's sell some flyknit trainers while we've got your attention.