Nike has made a splash and sent the Internet into the frenzy with the reveal of Colin Kaepernick as the face of the “Just Do It” campaign, which commemorates the 30th anniversary of the slogan.
The reveal comes from ESPN’s Darren Rovell who shared the black and white image of Colin Kaepernick and revealed that he has been received payment from the iconic brand throughout his dealings with the NFL while waiting for the “right moment” to reveal the partnership.
BREAKING: Nike had been paying Colin Kaepernick all along, waiting for the right moment. That moment is now, as he becomes the face of the company’s 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign. pic.twitter.com/uccpDStbq5
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 3, 2018
The message included in the image for Kap’s campaign image reads “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”
ESPN reports Colin Kaepernick was originally signed to Nike in 2011 and has retained him to their roster since the original agreement, however, Kaepernick was not utilized in ads in the past two years.
“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.
In reaction, fans on both sides of the anthem protests have tweeted their opinion. Those in opposition to Nike’s support of Kaepernick have been vocal online for ending their support of the brand.
Colin Kaepernick is currently in the battle with the NFL to prove that he was blackballed from being signed by any other team. The latest news in the collusion case against Kaepernick, arbitrator Stephen Burbank denied the request of the National Football league who wanted a summary judgment, forwarding the case to a trial-like hearing in the future. The impact of Kaepernick and the anthem protests continues today as current NFL players have chosen to kneel before during the National Anthem in the NFL preseason.
Additional ads for the Just Do It Campaign include Serena Williams, Lacey Baker, LeBron James, Odell Beckham Jr. and Shaquem Griffin. The campaign is aimed to target those between ages 15 and 17.
Nike has recently supported Serena Williams who was targeted for her Nike made attire in the French Open, along with in the past supporting LeBron James with belief in equality by branding his sneakers.
View additional images from the campaign below.
Awesome new Nike “Just Do It” ads pic.twitter.com/JFaAfm3ize
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) September 3, 2018
