The Mississippi State Police will no longer buy Nike products due to the recent Colin Kaepernick ad campaign, a state official told reporters.

The state called the apparel brand “unpatriotic.”

“As commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, I will not support vendors who do not support law enforcement and our military,” Commissioner Marshall Fisher told AP reporters.

Past purchases by the agency included tactical uniforms, shoes and shirts, and Fisher’s decision was backed by Gov. Phil Bryant.

“I support the commissioner’s decision,” he said in a statement, adding that state purchases won’t be from “a company that pays an individual who has slandered our fine men and women in law enforcement.”

Earlier this month, a Christian college announced its athletic department will also avoid buying Nike gear.

The College of the Ozarks, located in Missouri, even went as far as removing existing Nike uniforms.

“If Nike is ashamed of America, we are ashamed of them,” College of the Ozarks President Jerry C. Davis said in a statement. “We also believe that those who know what sacrifice is all about are more likely to be wearing a military uniform than an athletic uniform.”

Nike stocks hit an all-time high after the controversial ad campaign was announced, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens to the brand in the long-term.

When The Smoke Room reported the news, which was linked on the Drudge Report, some article commenters suggested Nike damaged its brand for short-term gain.

“That kind of damage isn’t reflected in the stock price in a matter of weeks,” wrote the top commenter. “I even predict their sales will increase in the short term fueled by those people who want to show support for Kaepernick.”

“Long-term? I foresee a slow but steady decline. There are now many people who simply will not buy Nike products again.”

The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


Related Articles


Comments