SportsBusiness Daily — Sports Business Resources — your sports business news and information source. Learn More
Advanced
Home About Us Advertise With Us Marketplace/Classifieds College & University Program Subscribe/Trial My Account

Tuesday
August 5, 2008
Print This Issue


 
MOST VIEWED STORIES
View the top 20 stories
 
Recent Issues
Olympics

Nike Launches TV Spot For U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team

Nike Tonight To Debut Spot Around
U.S. Olympic Men's Basketball Team
Nike is set to release a new TV spot via Wieden & Kennedy, Portland, that highlights the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team’s commitment to winning a gold medal. The ad is set to the score of Marvin Gaye’s rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner” from the ’83 NBA All-Star Game. A two-and-a-half-minute version of the spot will debut tonight following the final installment of ESPN2's “Road To Redemption presented by Nike." A 30- and 60-second version of the ad will begin airing nationally on Friday (Nike).

SOFT SPOKEN: Heat and U.S. G Dwyane Wade said of speaking out on political issues surrounding China, "It's not about us making a stand. ... It's a business trip and we'll let the politics take care of itself. That's not for us to worry about." ESPN's Shelly Smith added "sticking to basketball would seem to be in the players', and the NBA's, best interests." USA Basketball Managing Dir Jerry Colangelo said, "When addressed about a political issue, we don't put muzzles on our players. It's really up to them as individuals to respond however they care to." However, Smith noted Colangelo said that he "also told players that he personally feels the Olympics shouldn't be used as a political platform." Team USA coach Mike Krzyzewski: "We look at the Olympics as sport, not a political forum" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 8/3). Meanwhile, In N.Y., Filip Bondy writes, "No matter how hard organizers attempt to quash controversy," it is likely that "some words will be spoken before these Games are done against [China] President Hu Jintao and his country's policies toward Tibet and Sudan." Bondy: "There is just no way to shut up foreign athletes, who will be asked questions and will answer them" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/5).

PREMIER LEAGUE: The U.S. plays China on Sunday, and China Premier Wen Jiabao met with the Chinese national team during a practice session at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium to wish them luck. Wen shook hands with the team, including C Yao Ming, and the team "presented Wen with a basketball signed by the whole squad" (SHANGHAI DAILY, 8/4).

Reader Comments

To post comments on this article, log in or register for a free trial.

Related Stories By Company Related Stories By Sport
Nike To Showcase New Performance Apparel
January 7, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

LeBron, Nike Team To Unveil Special Shoes
December 23, 2008 : SportsBusiness Daily

LeBron May Re-Sign With Cavs This Summer
December 22, 2008 : SportsBusiness Daily

Nike Reports Q2 Profit Growth
December 18, 2008 : SportsBusiness Daily

Kobe Unveils Shoe On Global Webcast
December 12, 2008 : SportsBusiness Daily

The Home Depot Drops USOC Sponsorship
January 8, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

Industry Leaders In Running For USOC CMO
January 5, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

Vancouver Games Ad Series Unveiled
January 5, 2009 : SportsBusiness Daily

VANOC To Cut Evening Award Ceremonies?
December 30, 2008 : SportsBusiness Daily

Olympic Facility Proposed In Virginia
December 30, 2008 : SportsBusiness Daily

ALSO IN THIS SECTION


A Publication of Street & Smith's Sports Group
Privacy Policy - Terms of Service
© 2009 Street & Smith's Sports Group
All Rights Reserved