Nike's Colin Kaepernick campaign advert sends out 'terrible message', Donald Trump says

Colin Kaepernick's collusion case against the NFL was settled last week
USA Today Sports/Reuters

Nike is sending out a “terrible message” by choosing American football star Colin Kaepernick as the face of its new advertising campaign, Donald Trump has said.

It comes after the ex-San Francisco 49ers player was chosen to help mark the 30th anniversary of the sportswear giant’s famous Just Do It slogan earlier this week.

Mr Trump said: “I think it’s a terrible message that they’re sending [by choosing Kaepernick] and the purpose of them doing it, maybe there’s a reason for them doing it.”

Nike/@Kaepernick7 Twitter

He added: “But I think as far as sending a message, I think it’s a terrible message and a message that shouldn’t be sent. There’s no reason for it.”

Speaking to the Daily Caller, the president also appeared to send what could be interpreted as a coded warning, saying: “Nike is a tenant of mine. They pay a lot of rent.”

Niketown New York is located at 6 East 57th Street in New York City, one of the buildings in the Trump Organisation's property portfolio.

Nike signed a new sponsorship deal with the player - who has filed a grievance against the NFL and its owners accusing them of colluding not to hire him - with the slogan for its Just Do It campaign: Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.

While many people welcomed the deal, others have threatened to boycott the brand, even burning their Nike products in protest.

San Francisco 49ers outside linebacker Eli Harold, quarterback Colin Kaepernick and free safety Eric Reid kneel in protest during the national anthem before an NFL game in 2016
USA Today Sports/Reuters

One critic even posted video footage of him burning his Nike shoes, while another user posted an image of his Nike socks after cutting out the brand's famous swoosh logo.

Kaepernick's kneeling protest has been copied by other NFL players and sports stars and led to Monday's announcement he was the face of Nike's new advertising campaign celebrating the Just Do It slogan's 30th anniversary.

Donald Trump said the decision sends out a 'terrible' message
REUTERS

Some Americans immediately reacted in disgust, posting scores of pictures and videos online in a torrent of poorly-spelled and angry tweets.

But Gino Fisanotti, Nike's vice president of brand for North America, described Kaepernick as "one of the most inspirational athletes of this generation".

Mr Fisanotti told ESPN: "(He) has leveraged the power of sport to help move the world forward."

Kaepernick has been without a team since opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2017.

He has filed a grievance against the NFL alleging team owners colluded to stop him securing a contract after he became a free agent.

Mr Trump had spoke out against those involved and called for players to be fined or suspended by teams for taking part, igniting a fierce debate.

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