Tag: Stephen Curry

Nike took this route as its biggest representatives — most notably LeBron James and Serena Williams — have spoken out about police shootings of African-American men and problems facing the black community. NBA players in recent years have worn shoes with messages of “R.I.P. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 5, 2018 Athletic apparel companies have straddled the entertainment and cultural worlds for years partly with their emulation of black culture — think Run-DMC’s Adidas shoe deal in the wake of the group’s rap hit “My Adidas” and Nike’s “Air Jordan” campaigns featuring Michael Jordan and Spike Lee. And with that shift, Nike is taking the side of its superstar athletes — even if it means alienating Trump supporters and intertwining shoes and politics. Clothing and shoe makers have always had a back-and-forth relationship with minority communities. The relationship began in the 1980s, when Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Converse became staples of black fashion, and African-American youth sought to emulate the stars of the day, like Jordan, Run-DMC and other figures associated with the burgeoning hip-hop culture. Companies “have made millions off of following trends from the black community, and so they have to be cognizant of the feelings of that community,” said Antonio S. Williams, who teaches sports marketing at Indiana University. A company official said “things are going to move in the right direction” under a Trump presidency. Protesters took that as support for Trump and began burning New Balance shoes and posting videos. Nike has likely figured out that its core consumers — the people who regularly buy its sneakers and clothes — are probably the millennials and minority youth who already support Kaepernick or at least don’t mind the stance he is taking, Antonio Williams said.

(CLEVELAND) — Stephen Curry and LeBron James spoke their minds last year. No matter whose team wins the NBA championship, neither superstar will be at the White House anytime soon. On the day when the Philadelphia Eagles were supposed to be there to commemorate winning the Super Bowl — a visit that was canceled by President Donald Trump and had the White House accusing players who weren’t planning on attending of abandoning their fans — Curry and James were among those speaking out at the NBA Finals in support of the Eagles. “I know no matter who wins this series, no one wants the invite anyway. So it won’t be Golden State or Cleveland going.” On the eve of Game 3 of the Warriors-Cavaliers series, politics dominated the conversation. Curry raised Trump’s ire last year when he said he wouldn’t go to the White House, prompting the President to disinvite him and the champion Golden State Warriors. Trump said the Eagles’ event was called off because some of their players “disagree with their President because he insists that they proudly stand for the National Anthem, hand on heart, in honor of the great men and women of our military and the people of our country.” No Eagles players kneeled during the anthem last season. Many members of the U.S. Olympic Team that competed earlier this year in South Korea did not attend a White House reception. “When somebody says they don’t want to come to the White House, he disinvites them. Like guys said before me, I’m sure whoever wins this series won’t be going.”