Posts tagged nike

Nike Will Sponsor Out Athletes

04/17/13

by gay4soccer in Issues

One of the assumed big fears for a male pro coming out of the closet is the loss of endorsement deals, and it looks like Nike is looking to allay that worry.

According to a recent interview, when pro basketball executive Rick Welts came out of the closet two years ago Nike sent him a message to pass along to closeted players. They want the first out player in American professional sports to be an endorser.

Nike has done pro-LGBT work in the past, releasing pride t-shirts, holding a summit, and even doing a giveaway with Megan Rapinoe last year on behalf of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network.

Now Welts has said, “They made it clear to me Nike would embrace it. The player who does it, they’re going to be amazed at the additional opportunities that are put on the table, not the ones that are taken off.”

Nike is Robbie Rogers’ boot of choice. Just sayin’.

nike

First-Ever Nike LGBT Sports Summit Kicks Off in Oregon

06/15/12

by gay4soccer in Issues, Portland Timbers

Yesterday, members of the LGBT sports community and straight allies began meeting at Nike Headquarters in Oregon for their first ever LGBT Sports Summit. Representatives include our friend Patrick Burke at the You Can Play Project, Athlete Ally’s Hudson Taylor, GLSEN’s Changing the Game, and ESPN.

The summit aims to bring groups together to talk about homophobia and transphobia in sports and share ideas and come up with a game plan to combat them.

A soccer-related highlight, though, is former rugby player, Stand Up Foundation founder, and all-around hottie Ben Cohen making a trip to Jeld-Wen field last night.

(via Ben Cohen's Facebook & Twitter)

Nike Pride T-Shirts Now on Sale

06/07/12

by gay4soccer in Culture & Style

Outfitters of US Soccer Nike now have a special limited edition LGBT Pride Month tshirt on sale, benefiting Athlete Ally’s work to make sports safer for LGBT athletes.