Nike said Friday
it would pull its print ads for its Hyperdunk basketball
shoes, responding to criticism that they fed homophobic
views.
Nike said Friday
it would pull its print ads for its Hyperdunk basketball
shoes, responding to criticism that they fed homophobic
views.
Nike previously
defended the ads but said it would withdraw them as
quickly as possible "to underline our ongoing commitment to
supporting diversity in sport and the workplace," The
[Portland] Oregonian reported.
The ads,
which were created by Portland's Wieden+Kennedy agency,
were titled "That Ain't Right," "Isn't That Cute,"
and "Punks Jump Up."
One ad showed a
basketball player dunking over another. The crotch of the
player dunking was planted firmly in the other player's
face. The ad sported a large tag line: "That Ain't
Right."
Earlier, Nike had
said the ads were "based purely upon a common insight
from within the game of basketball -- the athletic feat of
dunking on the opposition -- and is not intended to be
offensive."
Nike also
reiterated its "history of supporting athletes regardless
of their sexual orientation." Nike has been praised by gay
rights advocates for supporting a 2007 Oregon law
banning discrimination against gays in work, housing,
and public places.
An after hours
call to Nike corporate communications rang unanswered
Friday. (AP)
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