In 2017, Colin Kaepernick, the San Fransisco 49ers quarterback who led the team to the Super Bowl XLVII, was blackballed from the NFL for supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. Kaepernick became a frequent target of Trump and the political right for kneeling during the national anthem to draw attention to police violence. "
Outrageous that Phil Knight will single-handedly, possibly cause a Republican Governor in Oregon! If he really cared so much about Oregon, he would have volunteered his time, money and resources to craft a concrete solution to the homeless problem years ago! He’s a senile flake! Did you see his joke about Oregon with the cartoon of the hill of white powder and the straw with the caption “Which of these is illegal in Oregon, the straw of course!”. Really, is that what an educated person would say! University of Oregon must be raising their eyebrows, but don’t expect anything more since he has that place around his finger too! I’m pissed and I contacted Nike and told them I wouldn’t be purchasing any more crap from them, ever! Thanks Judd for what you do!
It also seems really clear now: why do we allow corporate contributions at all? Why should corporations have a say at all? Of course the Citizens United case gave them the right to legally, but stepping back to observe it, we can see how absolutely absurd it is to allow it. The conservatives on the SC have been anti-democratic for a long time. We need voters to wake tf up!
Do you mean the uninformed voter who is not married to a preferred RW narrative? I'm not criticizing by any means Rick. I agree but I am curious as to which voting block you refer to.
I don’t see where her comment answered my question. I absolutely agree that contributions such as highlighted in this article, are hypocritical. I want to know if they contribute equally to democrats.
Nike has been a target of criticism for years because of questions about how, or rather who, makes their sneakers. And deservedly so.
There was no love lost then for investigating their ethical commitments. Despite their image as a socially conscious brand, there's no love lost now, and the incongruity between how they donate and the public profile they sell makes it that much worse.
Corporate cynicism knows no bounds in these times. Dollars uber alles, rah rah rah! I'd boycott Nike but then again, I never bought any of their crap anyway.
"Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, has said he would do anything to stop Democrats taking the governors seat in Oregon in the next elections." And, so "Knight also recently donated $1 million to support Christine Drazan, the anti-abortion Republican candidate for Governor in Oregon." Judd's publication has gained power to spread the unknown corrupt use of wealth that harms so many. When sad and powerless, I find it important to remember that truth has great power. When the truth is fully described in such a concrete manner, I am grateful
Could this be a case for these large companies, including Nike, of donating to both parties in an effort to keep good relationships with both sides? I know it's not an excuse when one of our political parties has abandoned principles of democracy and basic human rights, but wondering if their political strategy is to donate to both parties in all the states where they have operations which may be impacted by a change of government. Can we see a side by side comparison of donations?
I already know the answer to this question, but why isn’t Tuberville called out for his “Democrats and their Defund the Police policies” comment. This nonsense has been debunked over and over again. The reparations comment was bad enough but, like Trump, he “floods the zone” with multiple falsehoods, some of which stay out there unaddressed.
Michael Jordan, long affiliated with Nike, has been credited with saying, “Even Republicans buy sneakers.” I don’t know much about Nike, but Wikipedia reports their CEO since 2020, John Donahoe, has history with PayPal, eBay, and more recently ServiceNow, and that he has supported politicians of both parties. The former CEO, Mark Parker, stepped down in 2020 and is now executive chairman. He was credited with and maligned for the Kaepernick campaign.
I’m not defending anything associated with giving to RGA, and given Donahue’s donation record, I think Nike could have found specific Rs to support, Jaime Herrara Butler being one.
Don't be surprised when an entity, or individual, whos ultimate goal is power/money, will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal [including, but not limited to aligning themselves with authoritarians while publicly claiming otherwise...].
Both of those internal and external strategies are carefully calculated to work out to their benefit.
I really fail to understand the constant commenting to every article wondering how much some random corporation donates to Democrats. Just another way to "Both Sides" an argument. Given that the current Republican party is trying to dismantle democracy and rig elections, no rational human should be giving them anything. Anything at all is too much. The only Republicans with even a shred of decency are basically getting eliminated from their own party. So, it's completely irrelevant what any company *also* gives to Democratic party interests. They are funding the promotion of authoritarianism. That is all that matters.
Yup, thanks for what you do. At the beginning of this column I was cheering Nike (i don't think I was aware of the Kaepernick ad prior to this). At the end thinking I will not buy any product with their name on it.
Outrageous that Phil Knight will single-handedly, possibly cause a Republican Governor in Oregon! If he really cared so much about Oregon, he would have volunteered his time, money and resources to craft a concrete solution to the homeless problem years ago! He’s a senile flake! Did you see his joke about Oregon with the cartoon of the hill of white powder and the straw with the caption “Which of these is illegal in Oregon, the straw of course!”. Really, is that what an educated person would say! University of Oregon must be raising their eyebrows, but don’t expect anything more since he has that place around his finger too! I’m pissed and I contacted Nike and told them I wouldn’t be purchasing any more crap from them, ever! Thanks Judd for what you do!
Nike's political donations:
* Approximately 83% to Democrats
* Approximately 17% to Republicans
https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/nike-inc/recipients?id=D000027998
This is important to know, so thank you for bringing attention to it. Now we still have to ask why Nike is donating to the party of fascism at all.
Right on. What could be the rationale for supporting fascism 17% worth? Hedging bets? Allowing for Republikan board members input?
It also seems really clear now: why do we allow corporate contributions at all? Why should corporations have a say at all? Of course the Citizens United case gave them the right to legally, but stepping back to observe it, we can see how absolutely absurd it is to allow it. The conservatives on the SC have been anti-democratic for a long time. We need voters to wake tf up!
Do you mean the uninformed voter who is not married to a preferred RW narrative? I'm not criticizing by any means Rick. I agree but I am curious as to which voting block you refer to.
At least 3/4 of the electorate doesn't know what is going on. Fortunately 1/2 of those already vote for Democrats.
Understood Rick. Thank you for your succinct and informatie reply. Also, agreed.
Did Nike donate to democrats under the Nike name????
Good question. I’d like to know as well.
See Rhoda Keprta's comment.
I don’t see where her comment answered my question. I absolutely agree that contributions such as highlighted in this article, are hypocritical. I want to know if they contribute equally to democrats.
She'd included a link. That link was what I was referring to.
Here it is: https://www.opensecrets.org/orgs/nike-inc/recipients?id=D000027998
Thanks I appreciate this
You're most welcome Robert.
Nike has been a target of criticism for years because of questions about how, or rather who, makes their sneakers. And deservedly so.
There was no love lost then for investigating their ethical commitments. Despite their image as a socially conscious brand, there's no love lost now, and the incongruity between how they donate and the public profile they sell makes it that much worse.
Corporate cynicism knows no bounds in these times. Dollars uber alles, rah rah rah! I'd boycott Nike but then again, I never bought any of their crap anyway.
"Phil Knight, co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, has said he would do anything to stop Democrats taking the governors seat in Oregon in the next elections." And, so "Knight also recently donated $1 million to support Christine Drazan, the anti-abortion Republican candidate for Governor in Oregon." Judd's publication has gained power to spread the unknown corrupt use of wealth that harms so many. When sad and powerless, I find it important to remember that truth has great power. When the truth is fully described in such a concrete manner, I am grateful
Could this be a case for these large companies, including Nike, of donating to both parties in an effort to keep good relationships with both sides? I know it's not an excuse when one of our political parties has abandoned principles of democracy and basic human rights, but wondering if their political strategy is to donate to both parties in all the states where they have operations which may be impacted by a change of government. Can we see a side by side comparison of donations?
You know that it is. Pandering to those who could negatively effect their bottom line (s).
Ending Citizens United is THE most important next step.
I already know the answer to this question, but why isn’t Tuberville called out for his “Democrats and their Defund the Police policies” comment. This nonsense has been debunked over and over again. The reparations comment was bad enough but, like Trump, he “floods the zone” with multiple falsehoods, some of which stay out there unaddressed.
Mainstream media mostly owned by 1% corps and billionaires. They don't call out their side in the moneymaking biz.
Thx for link😁
Michael Jordan, long affiliated with Nike, has been credited with saying, “Even Republicans buy sneakers.” I don’t know much about Nike, but Wikipedia reports their CEO since 2020, John Donahoe, has history with PayPal, eBay, and more recently ServiceNow, and that he has supported politicians of both parties. The former CEO, Mark Parker, stepped down in 2020 and is now executive chairman. He was credited with and maligned for the Kaepernick campaign.
I’m not defending anything associated with giving to RGA, and given Donahue’s donation record, I think Nike could have found specific Rs to support, Jaime Herrara Butler being one.
Nike has lost their mind. This is insanity
Don't be surprised when an entity, or individual, whos ultimate goal is power/money, will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal [including, but not limited to aligning themselves with authoritarians while publicly claiming otherwise...].
Both of those internal and external strategies are carefully calculated to work out to their benefit.
I really fail to understand the constant commenting to every article wondering how much some random corporation donates to Democrats. Just another way to "Both Sides" an argument. Given that the current Republican party is trying to dismantle democracy and rig elections, no rational human should be giving them anything. Anything at all is too much. The only Republicans with even a shred of decency are basically getting eliminated from their own party. So, it's completely irrelevant what any company *also* gives to Democratic party interests. They are funding the promotion of authoritarianism. That is all that matters.
Someone should take a knee on the neck of Nike.
Yup, thanks for what you do. At the beginning of this column I was cheering Nike (i don't think I was aware of the Kaepernick ad prior to this). At the end thinking I will not buy any product with their name on it.