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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNike founder Phil Knight's huge political donation ahead of the midterms
In early September, Nike released a moving ad featuring Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL quarterback whom Donald Trump once indirectly called a son of a bitch for his political activism in support of black Americans.
Kaepernick was the symbolic head of the movement to take a knee during the US national anthem at televised games, a protest meant to bring attention to police killings of unarmed black men. When, as a free agent in 2017, Kaepernick was not signed on to a team, many believed his activism had ended his career. Believe in something, Nikes ad tells viewers, as Kaepernick appears on screen near the end of the spot, even if it costs you everything.
As Quartz has reported, Nikes ad raised questions about the sincerity of the companys ostensibly progressive values. Though Kaepernick had become a symbol of resistance to Trumps toxic politics, the company also donated to the Republican party. Now, in the lead-up to the midterm elections, the mystery around Nikes political leanings has deepened. Nike founder Phil Knight, who remains chair emeritus of the company, has donated a total of $2.5 million to Knute Buehler, Republican gubernatorial candidate in Oregon. That amount far exceeds any other individual donation to political candidates in the state.
Knight, who is thought to be worth about $30 billion and is famously private, hasnt explained whats behind this exceedingly generous gift to the Republican candidate. Buehlers campaign team has also declined to comment on the donations. (Quartz has contacted both offices and will update this post with any response we receive.)
Oregon governor Kate Brown, the Democrat incumbent running opposite Buehler, has a theory, however. Through a spokesperson, her office has proposed that Knight is clearly accustomed to buying whatever he wants and that a lot of Oregonians are wondering if this is an attempt to buy a governor.
https://qz.com/1450200/nikes-founder-has-become-a-mega-donor-to-a-republican-candidate/
shanny
(6,709 posts)MagickMuffin
(15,951 posts)Deep pockets = Deep government!!!