Nike is the first major endorsement deal to bail on Atlanta Falcons superstar quarterback Michael Vick following his grand jury indictment for allegedly conspiring to run a dogfighting operation from a home he owns in Virginia. Nike is concerned about the "highly disturbing allegations" and decided to postpone the release of Vick's shoe. Meanwhile, the NFL will let Vick play this season while the animal cruelty scandal will likely take a year or more to be resolved in the courts.
"We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore we have not terminated our relationship," a Nike spokesman said in a statement. "We have, however, made the decision to suspend the release of the Zoom Vick V and related marketing communications."
A federal grand jury indicted the Falcons' $130 million dollar star and three associates this week. The 18-page document included detailed accusations that Vick helped establish a dog fighting venture in rural Surry County in 2001; gambled heavily on fights, including some fights in other states; and participated in the execution of pit bulls that didn’t perform well.
According to reports, some of the animals in Vick’s outfit that lost fights or lacked promise were drowned, electrocuted, hanged or shot. The federal conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Vick is scheduled for arraignment next week. He may very likely be prosecuted by local authorities in addition to the felony conspiracy charge he now faces in federal court.
