Michael Vick has signed an endorsement deal with Nike. Again? Well, at least that's what Vick's agent told the media on Wednesday. In case you may have lost all forms of media for the last two years, Michael Vick was recently released from jail after he was convicted of dog fighting. With this being the case, Nike denied the relationship on Thursday saying that the company does not have a contractual relationship with the Philadelphia Eagles star. Vick lost all of his endorsement deals, including one with Nike, in 2007 when he was first accused of mistreating dogs.
Nike's public relations department had to put their foot down on this ordeal. Sure Vick is the most popular comeback story of the still-young NFL season, but the baggage he carries with him is enough to scare most of corporate America away. Yes, Vick could make Nike a lot of money. Vick is, indeed, currently making the NFL a lot of money for many reasons. His new Eagles memorabilia is doing surprisingly well and his mere presence on an NFL sideline is enough to increase league attendance. However, signing Vick to another endorsement deal would neglect a number of fans including those involved in animal rights. Nike needed to take a stand one way or the other and they firmly did so by keeping Vick away. Maybe in a few years, but as of right now, signing Vick would be a public relations nightmare.
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