A Slam Dunk Opportunity - Blown
So Nike didn’t have enough reputational baggage with images of children in sweat shops gluing on the “swoosh?” Now, we can add hissy fits to the list.
Bottom line: LeBron James holds a charity b-ball camp (see story); High schooler schools King James with a supposedly massive dunk; LeBron is sponsored by Nike; Nike freaks that two reporters tape the “in yo face” threat to world peace in violation of the camp’s policy for no cameras at “after hour” pick up games; they take the tape, lose mind, make news. The wrong news.
A thought: Let’s assume the kid is wearing Nike’s because the camp features LeBron. I smell ad campaign here. Remember when you were a kid and thought the type of sneakers you bought could make you run faster, jump higher and cut quicker? Sure you do. This is a potential ad to pull at those nostalgic heart strings. You CAN live the dream. You can even play hoops with King James. And, you might get real air to add icing to the cake of your dreams by getting one by him.
C’mon: LeBron looks like a hero for spending time with kids vs his counter parts who spend time at the gun dealer, tat artist or sobriety court. And, he should get the kudos for that. The NBA has a star now and potentially in the future on which to hang a head band. Nike sells the shoes and shows they aren’t suffering from a Napoleon complex.
LeBron James is an amazing talent. You mean someone on a basketball court in his real job is going to talk smack to that dude about a high school getting up in his grill? I’m sorry - is that going to happen before or after LeBron has scored his average 32.999999999 points. The man has more game than any human should be allowed; I can’t see Rasheed Wallace whose mouth usually runs better than his legs giving him stuff and getting the better of him.
Let’s say the kid was wearing some other brand of shoe. You mean the NBA with Nike’s help (and well-placed, highly visible logo elsewhere) can’t turn this into a PSA that shows the heart of the league by working with youth, the dreams that can be achieved or at least the potential that is unleashed at these events?
If LeBron put the brakes on the tapes getting out and not Nike? That’s a bigger PR problem. Now you do look like you have the self confidence of a well-paid hamster.
But, if Nike did the advising, I say stick to shoes, boys.
And, hey, King or Nike…or heck, Prince Crawford, if you need some PR, don’t delay, call today Happy Sam at JB&A….
