LGBTQ Campaign From NIKE: 'No One Wins Alone'

"Every winner knows victory doesn't happen alone," says the narrator in a new video from Nike released for Pride Month. "But none of us can truly win until the rules are the same for everyone."

The new clip features athletes and allies of the LGBTQ community who support equality for all athletes including WNBA's Brittany Griner, Sue Bird, Jewell Lloyd and Jordin Canada; skaters Fernando Bramsmark, Eric Koston, and Elissa Steamer; runners Kerron Clement, Caster Semenya, Scout Bassett and Chris Mosier; and soccer player Mark McKenzie.

From Nike:

It doesn’t matter what you play. Nobody wins alone.

Whether it’s as a team, within our community, or anyone who celebrates our victory as their own — progress only comes if we get there together.

Through decades of game-changing dedication from LGBTQIA+ athletes, those who work to make sport a more inclusive space for all, and the expression of icons like designer Gilbert Baker, the playing field becomes more level every day.

But as far as we’ve come, the game won’t be equal until we all win.

Hit play below and check it out.

Nike Stock Hits All-Time High 10 Days After Kaepernick Ad

From Bloomberg:

Ten days after Nike’s new Colin Kaepernick ad provoked calls for boycotts, shares hit an all-time high, closing at $83.47 Thursday.

It will likely be months, if not longer, until anyone can fully measure the business impact of Nike Inc.’s controversial partnership with quarterback-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick, but early data from Edison Trends show sales tracking well above last year.

Edison scanned receipts from more than 200 online retailers (including Nike.com) and found that that Tuesday after Labor Day, for example, the first full day after Kaepernick’s ad went viral, Nike purchases were 22 percent higher than the same day in 2017. On Wednesday they were 42 percent higher, and Thursday they were 23 percent higher. They remained above 2017 levels through the end of the week.

I guess this answers Donald Trump's question, "What was Nike thinking?"

What was Nike thinking?

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 7, 2018

On September 5, Donald Trump told the media, “Nike is getting absolutely killed with anger and boycotts. I wonder if they had any idea that it would be this way?”

Looks like Nike had more than “an idea.”

.@Nike stock has hit an all-time high 10 days after launching its @Kaepernick7 campaign pic.twitter.com/5zU68sKoCV

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) September 15, 2018

Nike's Online Sales Surge 31% Since Announcement Of Colin Kaepernick Ad

Trumpers may be burning their Nike sportswear as a weird kind of boycott (it's not a boycott if they get your money, folks), but Nike is having a good laugh.

Edison Trends is reporting that online sales of Nike merchandise has surged 31% compared with the same time period last year in the aftermath of the new Nike campaign featuring NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

“There was speculation that the Nike/Kaepernick campaign would lead to a drop in sales but the data does not support that theory,” the company said in a statement.

Apex Marketing notes that in addition to surging online sales, Nike received more than $43 million in terms of media exposure and proudly took on the mantle of 'risk-taker.'

Nike Drops 1st Colin Kaepernick Ad Spot

Colin Kaepernick

Ok - this. This right here.

After a day that saw Nike's stock take a hit, the athletic wear company is not crawling in a hole.

No - they are ramping up on the inspirational message of NFLer Colin Kaepernick and more world-class athletes.

The sportswear behemoth released a two-minute video today (2 million views in just a few hours) featuring Kaepernick narrating a vision of dreams exceeded.

"Don't try to be the fastest runner in your school, or in the world. Be the fastest ever."

"Don't settle for homecoming queen or linebacker - do both."

Megan Rapinoe

"When they talk about the greatest team in the history of the sport, make sure its your team."

"Don't become the biggest basketball player on the planet. Be BIGGER than basketball."

"Don't believe you have to be like anybody to be somebody."

"Don’t ask if your dreams are crazy. Ask if they’re crazy enough."

As the video clips bounce from Alphonso Davies to Serena Williams to LeBron James, don't miss openly lesbian Olympic gold medalist Megan Rapinoe at the 1:25 mark.

Serena Williams

UPDATED: Nike Cuts Ties To Boxer Manny Paquaio Over "Gays Worse Than Animals" Statement

According to TMZ, Nike is prepared to drop professional boxer Manny Paquaio over his recent "gays are worse than animals" comment.

"Have you seen any animal having male-to-male or female-to-female relations?" Pacquiao said on a Filipino television station earlier this week. "If you have male-to-male or female-to-female [relationships], then people are worse than animals."

Pacquaio later issued an apology.

The two sides have had a relationship since at least 2006 -- but we're told Nike is particularly disturbed after Pacquiao said gay people are "worse than animals" ... and intend to drop the boxer for good.

We're told the move is not official yet -- but there have been multiple discussions and we're told it appears to be heading in that direction.

Paquaio's management has not responded to requests for comment.

UPDATE - Nike issued the following statement:

Converse Salutes Pride Month With Pride Collection

Another Fortune 500 company joins the Pride Month celebrations as Converse (owned by Nike, the number one sportswear company in the world) announces the Converse Pride Collection.

From Converse:

The Converse Pride Collection is honored to join the LGBT movement.

Any crusade that hits the streets as loud and passionate as this one definitely needs sneakers to fit the occasion. We happily abide.

The Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Pride hi-tops are adorned with stylish patterns and every color of the rainbow. Each color represents a special meaning to the community.

Each step we take brings us closer to universal tolerance and equality.

(h/t JMG)

NIKE Denounces Indiana's "License To Discriminate"

NIKE's CEO issued this statement today denouncing Indiana's "license to discriminate" law and reiterates support for the LGBT community.

From NIKE President/CEO Mark Parker:

"NIKE proudly stands for inclusion for all. We believe laws should treat people equally and prevent discrimination. NIKE has led efforts alongside other businesses to defeat discriminatory laws in Oregon and opposes the new law in Indiana which is bad for our employees, bad for our consumers, bad for business and bad for society as a whole. We hope Indiana will quickly resolve this."

As one of the world's largest athletic apparel companies, NIKE is a longtime supporter of the LGBT community.

NIKE supported marriage equality in Oregon from the beginning, established LGBT protections for employees early on, and received a perfect 100 percent score on HRC's 2015 Corporate Equality Index.

Oregon-based Nike launches PAC with goal of legalizing marriage equality

Sporting goods giant Nike Inc. has recently created a political action committee with the specific goal of legalizing marriage equality in Oregon.

Nike's statement issued Tuesday afternoon says:

Nike is fully supportive of the initiative to create marriage equality so our employees are treated fairly and with respect in the workplace and the community.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion and strive to treat our employees equally. We believe that diversity drives innovation and allows us to attract and retain world class talent. For Oregon businesses to attract and retain the best talent, we need fair and equitable laws that treat all Oregonians equally and prevent discrimination."

To support the efforts to bring marriage equality to Oregon, Nike has created the Nike Equality PAC to help raise funds from Nike-affiliated donors in support of marriage equality. We chose to set up the Nike Equality PAC so that Nike, and its employees if they choose, have a specific avenue to support campaign efforts that are directly related to winning marriage equality in Oregon.

The PAC will give employees a specific avenue to support efforts, such as the Oregon United for Marriage campaign, that are directly related to winning marriage equality for the state. The Portland Business Journal notes that the company donated $100,000 to start the PAC, with its executives donating the remaining $180,000.

"Nike has just stood up for marriage equality in an unprecedented way, with a monumental financial contribution to support the Freedom to Marry and Religious Protection Initiative," said Mike Marshall, campaign manager for Oregon United for Marriage. "Nike has been a leader for marriage equality, and this incredible move puts Nike out front among Oregon businesses who are taking a stand for winning the freedom to marry for Oregon's same-sex couples. We are so proud and grateful for their generous support."

The PAC begins with $280,000: A $100,000 contribution from Nike and another $180,000 from Nike executives.

Nearly 20 years ago, Nike was one of the first companies to extend benefits to same-sex couples.

In 2011, Nike was one of the 60 companies that filed an amicus brief opposing DOMA.

Nike donates $200K to LGBT Sports Coalition

Photographer Jeff Sheng, Nike's Quinton Hawks, Cyd Zeigler, Nike's Robert Goman & It Gets Better's Stephanie Laffin

Nike has presented the LGBT Sports Coalition with a check for $200k to fund the projects of coalition members. The presentation was held this morning at the Nike Store at The Grove in Los Angeles.

For the last two years, Nike has held the LGBT Sports Summit in Portland, Ore., during the city's Pride celebration. From this year's summit emerged the formalized LGBT Sports Coalition, comprised of a couple dozen organizations and individuals dedicated to ending anti-LGBT bias in sports by 2016.

Earlier this year, Nike dedicated the proceeds from their 2013 #BeTrue line to the Coalition. According to Robert Goman, chairman of the Nike LGBT & Friends Network, the line of shirts and shoes sold better than expected, resulting in a much larger donation than anyone had expected.

Read more at OutSports.com

Nike unveils Gay Pride sneaker - the #BeTrue Free Run 5.0

Nike goes a step further in it's support for the LGBT community. Presenting the Gay Pride Sneaker - the #BeTrue Free Run 5.0 - inspired by and supporting the LGBT community, released in time for gay pride season.

From the Advocate:

Profits of #BeTrue sales will go to the LGBT Sports Coalition, which has set the goal to end the practice of anti-LGBT discrimination in sport by 2016.

The sneaker promises a glove-like fit, with a barefoot running feel.

In addition to the shoe, the collection includes sandals, graphic t's and tanks, and an iPhone 5 case.

Check out the entire #BeTrue Collection by clicking here.

Nike is the sponsor of the second annual LGBT Sports Summit next week in Portland, Ore., which brings together leaders from across the LGBT sports movement to figure out how we can all work together toward common goals.

Nike, in addition to its 15-year relationship with LGBT organizations and supporting equality in sport, sponsors top WNBA draft pick and out athlete Brittney Griner and out NBA veteran Jason Collins.