Nike in hot water after Zion Williamson’s shoe breaks
Nike’s stock market shares have dropped 1.7%, totaling a loss of approximately a billion dollars, in the aftermath of rising basketball sensation Zion Williamson’s injury in a basketball game between Duke and North Carolina. The college star sprained his right knee thirty-three seconds into the game, but in rather unorthodox fashion, with his shoe torn as a result of a slip. This has caused major backlash against the popular sports brand, who question the durability of its products after this unfortunate accident.
Former Nike developer Tiffany Beers identified the shoe as a Nike PG 2.5 and spoke out about the issue, but failed to determine a specific reason for the shoe malfunction, stating, “There has to be a manufacturing issue. [But] I would say it’s a little more of a freak accident than an inherent issue with the shoe…This is a rare incident” (HIGHSNOBIETY). She continued by saying that Zion Williamson’s physical attributes, like his height and weight, and his playing style could have also contributed to this bizarre incident. Nike have since issued a statement that they are “working to identify the issue” (HIGHSNOBIETY).
Zion Williamson falls down after slipping Courtesy of Washington Post
Zion Williamson received the ball on the edge of the court while Duke were on the attack. He started driving towards the center, keeping the ball on his right hand. What occurred next silenced the fans, both of Duke and North Carolina. Williamson took one heavy step with his left foot, trying to pivot and turn his opponent, when his foot burst through the side of his shoe. He then slipped and landed awkwardly, clutching his right knee and gritting his teeth in pain. Williamson had no choice but to limp off the court to receive medical attention.
Celebrities such as former US President Barack Obama and film director Spike Lee, along with various other NBA basketball players, have since sent Williamson their support for him to recover quickly. Duke University has confirmed that he sustained a grade 1 right knee sprain, but the severity of his injury is still unknown (HIGHSNOBIETY).
Skechers, another footwear brand, also responded to the incident, releasing an ad with a picture of Williamson’s torn shoes. The advertisement captioned the photo with the phrase “We won’t split on you,” mocking Nike’s supposed lack of quality material.
A Skechers ad mocking Williamson’s incident Courtesy of Skechers
This game was arguably the most anticipated game in American college basketball, especially given Duke and North Carolina’s historical rivalry and Zion Williamson’s popularity. The ticket prices also showed how much people were willing to pay to see these two teams play, standing at about $2,500.
Featured Image – Zion Williamson reaches to pick up his ripped shoe Courtesy of Getty Images
Luke Chong