Four years ago, after it came to light that then-Falcons QB Michael Vick had participated in the killing, torturing and fighting of dogs, Nike parted ways with him. Vick was one of their biggest stars so it was a significant move that symbolized just how far Vick had dropped.
Michael Vick And Nike Are Together Again
But that was four years ago. Vick has since gone to prison, been released from prison and returned to the field. And, you know what, he played pretty damn well, too.
That was enough for Nike to pull an unprecedented move and re-sign Vick, according to CNBC’s Darren Rovell, who writes that it’s believed this is the first time a sports marketing brand has dumped an athlete, only to return and re-sign them.
Coca-Cola let Kobe Bryant’s contract expire in 2003, after he was charged with sexual assault; the criminal case was dropped, and the civil case was settled. Coca-Cola eventually hired Bryant back in 2008 to endorse its Vitaminwater brand.
There were reports when Vick first returned to the NFL that Nike had re-signed him but they were actually just supplying him Nike products and didn’t have an actual contract. It appears they now have that contract.
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