I have to say, Ms. Sey, thank you for being there! What if your xx-xy ad had not come out first? We'd have to put up with the Nike version of girl boss athletes. I predict this will refract more attention to xx-xy. Which is better product, anyway.
I agree that Nike’s super bowl commercial was response to XX-XY’s superb viral video. And, I agree that Nike’s silence on males in women’s sports was an act of commission. I also think that, with its recent change in leadership, Nike can turn itself around and get back to its pure roots of being based in athletic excellence, not social justice. Nike need only look within itself to find corollary self-guidance in Micheal Jordan’s statement that, “Republicans buy shoes, too”.
Thanks for referring me to this well-researched, disturbing post, BFA. While there is nothing whatsoever redeeming about this dystopian, Mengele’n nightmare-study, it is the Nike Foundation, not Nike itself, which bears responsibility for the financial support and involvement in the study, a case of the tail wagging the dog as it were. Clearly, the Nike Foundation, which has done a great deal of philanthropic good in my own community, is in need of immediate house cleaning and an injection of new, sane leadership.
They are presenting an enemy that doesn’t exist… That’s it! That’s what was bugging me about it but I couldn’t put my finger on it until you wrote it. That’s the wrong fight! That’s not at all what the current problem is. My 80 year old father couldn’t peel himself away from NCAAW basketball last year (a sport he hardly ever watched and certainly not one he watched women play) because he was so drawn to Caitlyn’s talent. Women ARE winning. But if the trans-female athlete nonsense continues, there won’t be a space for these women anymore. None of those Nike athletes lack for wins. None are victims-YET. Let’s fight NOT to make them victims of this insanely illogical trend. Let’s not divert attention to a non existent threat. Wag the dog….
If you're a hockey fan check out women's hockey. These ladies put on a show that is every bit as entertaining as men's hockey, not to mention a whole lot cleaner. As for Nike, I gave up on them at about the same time I boycotted Bud Lite. These people do not deserve anybody's support. Any company that is willing to trample on or simply pay lip service to women's rights is unworthy of ANY market support. To the women in sport I say EAT'EM UP! Don't lose faith because you will prevail.
The ad was bleck the first time I saw it, but makes me more and more mad every time I have seen it since. It's themes are at least 35 years behind the times. While this is not fair to the fantastic athletes in the ad, there was still a little voice inside me that questioned their values and their willingness to champion such a vapid and dishonest company. I have never been a Nike fan due to much of their business practices for years, but now I am going to actively discourage people from supporting such a fake, dishonest, and evil company.
All compounded by the post game hype machine, which all brands run at high RPMs, proclaiming to have set a new bar for craft, bettered culture and lifted societies spirits. Which is delusional and a common lie. Me thinks.
It’s enough for me to burn my last pairs of Nike trainers which I refuse to wear in public. What vile messaging to women - “You can’t win”. Let that sink in. Right, all we know we can’t win when forced to compete against male athletes. Jordan Chiles, Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, JuJu Watkins, Sabrina Ionescu, Alexia Putellas, Aryna Sabalenka, Sha'Carri Richardson and Sophia Smith all know this. The US women’s soccer team knows this. Olympic female boxers know this. Everyone seems to know this except, apparently, Nike. “Go win”? Two words: fu. Perhaps you need to run a counter ad of all of the losses of top female athletes to inferior male athletes and can we start with Williams sisters getting trounced?
Horrible commercials and messaging. I’d like to see an entire campaign championing motherhood. With all the craziness surrounding the “men in women sports” (a noble cause we never should have even had to fight) and this war on men and toxic masculinity, etc. we seemed to have forgotten to nurture our young women on the virtues of motherhood. How about some exercise clothes for expanding baby bellies ❤️
Exactly!! Saw that commercial and when it ended I turned to my husband and said, “but if a dude wins your competition, don’t say anything cause you’re a hateful bigot.” No thanks Nike. Your products are crap and quite clearly your company values are too. Their stock price has been steadily moving downward for the past 5 years so evidently other people realize this as well.
Heard you with Mandy C yesterday, wow! So many great points and perspective. I work in media, commercials, docs, film, used to work with a former male gymnast, olympic level, met him in the film industry, incredible guy, was abused by people he trusted. I'm in Denver, if I can help with your vision, I'm in. Cheers Jen! I am curious as to what your favorite "Levi's" commercial is?
Jen, feel free to comment on what I considered the only rival to the Nike cringe, which was the NFL Flag Football ad. Anti-men, and stereotypes from the 80's. Really Really Really bad.
Outstanding. A blistering, well-deserved critique from a savvy marketer and fierce advocate for women in sports. Love it.
Why thank you! That's very kind.
I have to say, Ms. Sey, thank you for being there! What if your xx-xy ad had not come out first? We'd have to put up with the Nike version of girl boss athletes. I predict this will refract more attention to xx-xy. Which is better product, anyway.
I agree that Nike’s super bowl commercial was response to XX-XY’s superb viral video. And, I agree that Nike’s silence on males in women’s sports was an act of commission. I also think that, with its recent change in leadership, Nike can turn itself around and get back to its pure roots of being based in athletic excellence, not social justice. Nike need only look within itself to find corollary self-guidance in Micheal Jordan’s statement that, “Republicans buy shoes, too”.
Nike's involvement in this males in girls'/women's sports issue goes far beyond just silence... Please see this link to an article on Nike funding sports research associated with blocking puberty in kids: https://www.thefemalecategory.com/p/nike-and-wu-tsai-alliance-dont-want
Thanks for referring me to this well-researched, disturbing post, BFA. While there is nothing whatsoever redeeming about this dystopian, Mengele’n nightmare-study, it is the Nike Foundation, not Nike itself, which bears responsibility for the financial support and involvement in the study, a case of the tail wagging the dog as it were. Clearly, the Nike Foundation, which has done a great deal of philanthropic good in my own community, is in need of immediate house cleaning and an injection of new, sane leadership.
They are presenting an enemy that doesn’t exist… That’s it! That’s what was bugging me about it but I couldn’t put my finger on it until you wrote it. That’s the wrong fight! That’s not at all what the current problem is. My 80 year old father couldn’t peel himself away from NCAAW basketball last year (a sport he hardly ever watched and certainly not one he watched women play) because he was so drawn to Caitlyn’s talent. Women ARE winning. But if the trans-female athlete nonsense continues, there won’t be a space for these women anymore. None of those Nike athletes lack for wins. None are victims-YET. Let’s fight NOT to make them victims of this insanely illogical trend. Let’s not divert attention to a non existent threat. Wag the dog….
In my book they have to admit their mistakes before they can move forward.
If you're a hockey fan check out women's hockey. These ladies put on a show that is every bit as entertaining as men's hockey, not to mention a whole lot cleaner. As for Nike, I gave up on them at about the same time I boycotted Bud Lite. These people do not deserve anybody's support. Any company that is willing to trample on or simply pay lip service to women's rights is unworthy of ANY market support. To the women in sport I say EAT'EM UP! Don't lose faith because you will prevail.
Bud Lite is exceptionally easy to boycott.
I’ve been boycotting it my whole life.
For good reason!
The ad was bleck the first time I saw it, but makes me more and more mad every time I have seen it since. It's themes are at least 35 years behind the times. While this is not fair to the fantastic athletes in the ad, there was still a little voice inside me that questioned their values and their willingness to champion such a vapid and dishonest company. I have never been a Nike fan due to much of their business practices for years, but now I am going to actively discourage people from supporting such a fake, dishonest, and evil company.
Keep fighting the fight. Fight Fight Fight.
All compounded by the post game hype machine, which all brands run at high RPMs, proclaiming to have set a new bar for craft, bettered culture and lifted societies spirits. Which is delusional and a common lie. Me thinks.
Dominic, we would have made a better one! 🙌🏼
XX-XY owns Nike. They have failed women and are flailing with this cringe commercial. We need to vote with our wallets and stop buying Nike.
I remain puzzled as to the point of that ad. It made no sense when it first aired. It still makes no sense.
It’s enough for me to burn my last pairs of Nike trainers which I refuse to wear in public. What vile messaging to women - “You can’t win”. Let that sink in. Right, all we know we can’t win when forced to compete against male athletes. Jordan Chiles, Caitlin Clark, A'ja Wilson, JuJu Watkins, Sabrina Ionescu, Alexia Putellas, Aryna Sabalenka, Sha'Carri Richardson and Sophia Smith all know this. The US women’s soccer team knows this. Olympic female boxers know this. Everyone seems to know this except, apparently, Nike. “Go win”? Two words: fu. Perhaps you need to run a counter ad of all of the losses of top female athletes to inferior male athletes and can we start with Williams sisters getting trounced?
Horrible commercials and messaging. I’d like to see an entire campaign championing motherhood. With all the craziness surrounding the “men in women sports” (a noble cause we never should have even had to fight) and this war on men and toxic masculinity, etc. we seemed to have forgotten to nurture our young women on the virtues of motherhood. How about some exercise clothes for expanding baby bellies ❤️
Exactly!! Saw that commercial and when it ended I turned to my husband and said, “but if a dude wins your competition, don’t say anything cause you’re a hateful bigot.” No thanks Nike. Your products are crap and quite clearly your company values are too. Their stock price has been steadily moving downward for the past 5 years so evidently other people realize this as well.
Go XX-XY Athletics!!
You go Jen!!
Love this, thanks for speaking out, once again.
Heard you with Mandy C yesterday, wow! So many great points and perspective. I work in media, commercials, docs, film, used to work with a former male gymnast, olympic level, met him in the film industry, incredible guy, was abused by people he trusted. I'm in Denver, if I can help with your vision, I'm in. Cheers Jen! I am curious as to what your favorite "Levi's" commercial is?
Thanks Jen!! Btw did you see the not-so-subtle men vs women in sports ad during 1st half? Grrrr..
https://www.ispot.tv/ad/TZyo/nfl-super-bowl-2025-pre-release-flag-50-ft-pat-mcafee-justin-jefferson-myles-garrett-song-by-scorpio
Yes. So bad. I was gonna write about that too but decided to do it separately. The Dove also bad.
Jen, feel free to comment on what I considered the only rival to the Nike cringe, which was the NFL Flag Football ad. Anti-men, and stereotypes from the 80's. Really Really Really bad.
Terrible.