Activists say Michael Jordan, Carl Lewis, Michael Johnson,
Dennis Rodman and Charles Barkley are among the Nike athletes who
have ignored appeals to get the company to change sweatshop
practices, according to the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. The paper's "Rush &
Molloy" celebrity column also contacted other Nike athletes and
found their representatives "indifferent or skeptical." David
Robinson's father and manager, Ambrose Robinson, said the Spurs
star "probably isn't aware of the issue," adding, "He might be
opposed to (the labor practices) if he knew about them. But I
don't think it is up to him to look into it personally." Philip
Agassi, Andre's brother and VP of Agassi Enterprises: "We are
currently talking with Nike, finding out how they run their
Indonesian factories. ... But I don't know when we will have an
answer. I certainly will not allow the press or the public force
us into a position." A statement released by Nike contended,
"Workers in developing nations are not being robbed when the
company gives a lucrative endorsement contract to (Michael
Jordan). ... Michael Jordan increases the demand for goods those
workers produce" (Rush & Molloy, N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/12).
