The metaverse vision for the internet is far from reality, but brands from Ferrari to Nike are already rushing in to experiment and build an audience, in part for fear of missing out.

The clamor over virtual goods comes amid feverish predictions that the metaverse -- a virtual reality version of the internet -- will eventually replace the web of today.

But some virtual worlds, for example the Fortnite and Minecraft games or the Roblox platform, are already open for business.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/leonardo-dicaprio-was-not-comfortable-with-meryl-streep-stripping-for-dont-look-up-heres-why-437181">Leo was not comfortable with Meryl Streep stripping for 'Don't Look Up'</a>

"I think a lot of it is experimentation," said Ryan Mullins, founder of virtual sneaker app Aglet.

"If it turns out that we make a couple of grand or something like that... great, but I think a lot of (companies) are thinking 'innovate, disrupt or die,'" he added, echoing a Silicon Valley ethos of sometimes brutal evolution.

Fashion has been at the forefront, with a line of digital clothing from Uniqlo on Minecraft or Balenciaga outfits and sneakers available in Fortnite.

Designers are also entering the new field of NFTs -- non-fungible tokens that are unique digital objects such as drawings or animations.

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-ben-affleck-got-alcohol-addiction-as-he-felt-trapped-in-marriage-to-jennifer-garner-437006" hreflang="en">Ben Affleck got alcohol addiction as he felt 'trapped' in marriage to Jennifer Garner</a></h2>

"This represents a massive opportunity for brands, who will get in early and will be able to build persistent presence... on a truly global scale," said Christina Wootton, vice president of partnerships at Roblox.

- Welcome to 'Nikeland' -

During the Halloween holiday, Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle opened a virtual and ephemeral restaurant on Roblox, the first of its kind.

The brand offered coupons to get a free burrito in a real-life restaurant, but also virtual costumes to dress up one's avatar and a treasure hunt.

In July, Ferrari launched a replica of its new 296 GTB model with Fortnite, which will not be available in the real world until 2022 but could be driven in the game.

Nike had already opened "Nikeland," a virtual showroom on Roblox, and announced Monday it has bought digital sneaker company RTFKT -- pronounced "artifact."

<h2><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-kajol-relives-kabhi-khushi-kabhi-gham%E2%80%99s-anjali-shares-quirky-video-436998" hreflang="en">Kajol relives Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’s Anjali, shares quirky video</a></h2>

For companies that exist primarily in the physical world, the metaverse concept is first and foremost a giant laboratory with direct avenues to the young demographic prized by advertisers.

"Revenues will come if this thing sticks around, but we want to make sure that our brand is in these early environments," said Mullins from Aglet.

As the first restaurant in Roblox, Chipotle said it sees future "opportunities to directly drive sales."

The metaverse is also a wealth of data, offering valuable insights into the perception of a product, even if it doesn't yet exist in the real world.

To fully control the environment in which the brand is introduced, some companies like Louis Vuitton have created their own version of the metaverse.

To celebrate its 200th anniversary, the brand launched in August "Louis the Game," which includes a hunt for NFTs by digital art pioneer Beeple.

- 'Authentic' in metaverse -

However, since there is still no unified platform yet, users cannot carry a Gucci bag bought on Roblox over to other games like Sandbox or Animal Crossing.

This is one of the priorities for Mark Zuckerberg, who leads Facebook's parent company that was re-baptized "Meta" in October to signal the platform's metaverse shift.

Since the world's leading social network unveiled its ambitions, "things have accelerated even further," said consultant Cathy Hackl, who has been contacted by many brands seeking metaverse advice.

"Not every brand needs to jump in to the metaverse," she said, noting though that firms have to be at least familiar with it.

Unless companies build their own virtual world, they will need to follow the codes of each platform on which they appear.&nbsp;

"It's about showing up and trying to be authentic in the space," said Mullins.

The metaverse vision for the internet is far from reality, but brands from Ferrari to Nike are already rushing in to experiment and build an audience, in part for fear of missing out.

The metaverse vision for the internet is far from reality, but brands from Ferrari to Nike are already rushing in to experiment and build an audience, in part for fear of missing out. The clamor over virtual goods comes amid feverish predictions that the metaverse -- a virtual reality version of the internet -- will eventually replace the web of today. But some virtual worlds, for example the Fortnite and Minecraft games or the Roblox platform, are already open for business. Leo was not comfortable with Meryl Streep stripping for 'Don't Look Up' "I think a lot of it is experimentation," said Ryan Mullins, founder of virtual sneaker app Aglet. "If it turns out that we make a couple of grand or something like that... great, but I think a lot of (companies) are thinking 'innovate, disrupt or die,'" he added, echoing a Silicon Valley ethos of sometimes brutal evolution. Fashion has been at the forefront, with a line of digital clothing from Uniqlo on Minecraft or Balenciaga outfits and sneakers available in Fortnite. Designers are also entering the new field of NFTs -- non-fungible tokens that are unique digital objects such as drawings or animations. Ben Affleck got alcohol addiction as he felt 'trapped' in marriage to Jennifer Garner "This represents a massive opportunity for brands, who will get in early and will be able to build persistent presence... on a truly global scale," said Christina Wootton, vice president of partnerships at Roblox. - Welcome to 'Nikeland' - During the Halloween holiday, Mexican fast-food chain Chipotle opened a virtual and ephemeral restaurant on Roblox, the first of its kind. The brand offered coupons to get a free burrito in a real-life restaurant, but also virtual costumes to dress up one's avatar and a treasure hunt. In July, Ferrari launched a replica of its new 296 GTB model with Fortnite, which will not be available in the real world until 2022 but could be driven in the game. Nike had already opened "Nikeland," a virtual showroom on Roblox, and announced Monday it has bought digital sneaker company RTFKT -- pronounced "artifact." Kajol relives Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham’s Anjali, shares quirky video For companies that exist primarily in the physical world, the metaverse concept is first and foremost a giant laboratory with direct avenues to the young demographic prized by advertisers. "Revenues will come if this thing sticks around, but we want to make sure that our brand is in these early environments," said Mullins from Aglet. As the first restaurant in Roblox, Chipotle said it sees future "opportunities to directly drive sales." The metaverse is also a wealth of data, offering valuable insights into the perception of a product, even if it doesn't yet exist in the real world. To fully control the environment in which the brand is introduced, some companies like Louis Vuitton have created their own version of the metaverse. To celebrate its 200th anniversary, the brand launched in August "Louis the Game," which includes a hunt for NFTs by digital art pioneer Beeple. - 'Authentic' in metaverse - However, since there is still no unified platform yet, users cannot carry a Gucci bag bought on Roblox over to other games like Sandbox or Animal Crossing. This is one of the priorities for Mark Zuckerberg, who leads Facebook's parent company that was re-baptized "Meta" in October to signal the platform's metaverse shift. Since the world's leading social network unveiled its ambitions, "things have accelerated even further," said consultant Cathy Hackl, who has been contacted by many brands seeking metaverse advice. "Not every brand needs to jump in to the metaverse," she said, noting though that firms have to be at least familiar with it. Unless companies build their own virtual world, they will need to follow the codes of each platform on which they appear. "It's about showing up and trying to be authentic in the space," said Mullins.

Brands from Ferrari to Nike rush toward 'metaverse' future

JPMorgan&nbsp;Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said on Wednesday he regretted his remarks that the Wall Street bank would last longer than China's Communist Party (CPC), moving quickly to avoid any longer-term fallout.

Dimon's comments had risked jeopardising&nbsp;JPMorgan's growth ambitions in China where it won regulatory approval in August to become the first full foreign owner of a securities brokerage in the country.

China experts in the United States said his quick apology should ensure no serious damage was done.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamie-dimon-believes-jp-morgan-will-outlast-chinas-communist-party-431625" hreflang="en">Jamie Dimon believes JP Morgan will outlast China's Communist Party</a>

"I regret and should not have made that comment. I was trying to emphasise the strength and longevity of our company," Dimon said in a statement issued by the bank.

Dimon realized immediately after he made the comment that it was a mistake, according to a source familiar with his thinking. After seeing the reaction, he decided to express regret, the source said.

In a later statement, Dimon said: "It's never right to joke about or denigrate any group of people, whether it's a country, its leadership, or any part of a society and culture. Speaking in that way can take away from constructive and thoughtful dialogue in society, which is needed now more than ever."

Referring to the matter in a comment posted on Twitter on Thursday, the outspoken editor of nationalistic tabloid Global Times, Hu Xijin, said: "You don't have to regret actually.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jp-morgan-sues-tesla-ceo-elon-musk-for-his-flagrantly-ignorant-tweets-430032">Also read |&nbsp;JP Morgan sues Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his 'flagrantly' ignorant tweets</a>

"The CPC has succeeded in its sphere far more than&nbsp;JP&nbsp;Morgan's. As a member of the CPC, I don't mind your company riding the wave of CPC's popularity."

A day earlier, Hu said: "Think long-term! And I bet the CPC will outlast the USA."

Speaking at a Boston College series of CEO interviews on Tuesday, Dimon said: "I made a joke the other day that the Communist Party is celebrating its 100th year - so is&nbsp;JPMorgan. I'd make a bet that we last longer."

"I can't say that in China. They are probably listening anyway," he added.

Beijing's approval for&nbsp;JPMorgan&nbsp;to take full ownership of its securities business was a milestone in the opening of China's capital markets after years of gradual moves and pressure from Washington.

Beijing sees the involvement of foreign banks as important for China's domestic financial development, academics say. However, they add, Western companies doing business in China still need to tread carefully.

"Dimon's apology shows the degree of deference foreign businesses have to show to the Chinese government in order to remain in its good graces and maintain access to the country’s markets," said Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell University.

"I don't think this will have any longer term consequences," said Leland Miller, chief executive at data firm China Beige Book and an expert on China's financial system.

Asked by Bloomberg about Dimon's comments at a news conference on Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian replied: "Why the publicity stunt with some grandstanding remarks?," according to an English language transcript of the remarks

Backlash

Global executives typically choose their words carefully when discussing China, where foreign companies have occasionally been subject to backlash for perceived offenses.

Swiss bank UBS ran into trouble in 2019, after a remark by one of its senior economists about food inflation and swine fever was interpreted as a racist slur. He was suspended for three months and UBS lost a plum role on a bond deal for a state-backed client.

Earlier this year, Swedish fashion giant H&amp;M's and US-based Nike Inc faced a backlash from Chinese state media and ecommerce platforms after expressing concern about allegations forced labour had been used to produce cotton in Xinjiang.

"The Chinese government has amply demonstrated its willingness to curb or in some cases shut down foreign businesses' operations in the country if they challenge the government openly or even engage in perceived or indirect slights," said Cornell's Prasad.

A week ago Dimon was granted an exemption by the Hong Kong government to visit the Chinese-controlled financial hub without needing to quarantine.

Visitors to the city from most countries must stay in hotel quarantine for two to three weeks at their own cost.

Dimon was in Hong Kong for 32 hours after arriving by private jet.

"Jamie Dimon's best and worst trait is that he speaks his mind," said Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo.

"It typically works well for him and makes him more authentic and appreciated by investors. But sometimes it gets him into trouble."

JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said on Wednesday he regretted his remarks that the Wall Street bank would last longer than China's Communist Party (CPC), moving quickly to avoid any longer-term fallout.

JPMorgan Chase Chief Executive Jamie Dimon said on Wednesday he regretted his remarks that the Wall Street bank would last longer than China's Communist Party (CPC), moving quickly to avoid any longer-term fallout. Dimon's comments had risked jeopardising JPMorgan's growth ambitions in China where it won regulatory approval in August to become the first full foreign owner of a securities brokerage in the country. China experts in the United States said his quick apology should ensure no serious damage was done. Also read | Jamie Dimon believes JP Morgan will outlast China's Communist Party "I regret and should not have made that comment. I was trying to emphasise the strength and longevity of our company," Dimon said in a statement issued by the bank. Dimon realized immediately after he made the comment that it was a mistake, according to a source familiar with his thinking. After seeing the reaction, he decided to express regret, the source said. In a later statement, Dimon said: "It's never right to joke about or denigrate any group of people, whether it's a country, its leadership, or any part of a society and culture. Speaking in that way can take away from constructive and thoughtful dialogue in society, which is needed now more than ever." Referring to the matter in a comment posted on Twitter on Thursday, the outspoken editor of nationalistic tabloid Global Times, Hu Xijin, said: "You don't have to regret actually. Also read | JP Morgan sues Tesla CEO Elon Musk for his 'flagrantly' ignorant tweets "The CPC has succeeded in its sphere far more than JP Morgan's. As a member of the CPC, I don't mind your company riding the wave of CPC's popularity." A day earlier, Hu said: "Think long-term! And I bet the CPC will outlast the USA." Speaking at a Boston College series of CEO interviews on Tuesday, Dimon said: "I made a joke the other day that the Communist Party is celebrating its 100th year - so is JPMorgan. I'd make a bet that we last longer." "I can't say that in China. They are probably listening anyway," he added. Beijing's approval for JPMorgan to take full ownership of its securities business was a milestone in the opening of China's capital markets after years of gradual moves and pressure from Washington. Beijing sees the involvement of foreign banks as important for China's domestic financial development, academics say. However, they add, Western companies doing business in China still need to tread carefully. "Dimon's apology shows the degree of deference foreign businesses have to show to the Chinese government in order to remain in its good graces and maintain access to the country’s markets," said Eswar Prasad, a professor at Cornell University. "I don't think this will have any longer term consequences," said Leland Miller, chief executive at data firm China Beige Book and an expert on China's financial system. Asked by Bloomberg about Dimon's comments at a news conference on Wednesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian replied: "Why the publicity stunt with some grandstanding remarks?," according to an English language transcript of the remarks Backlash Global executives typically choose their words carefully when discussing China, where foreign companies have occasionally been subject to backlash for perceived offenses. Swiss bank UBS ran into trouble in 2019, after a remark by one of its senior economists about food inflation and swine fever was interpreted as a racist slur. He was suspended for three months and UBS lost a plum role on a bond deal for a state-backed client. Earlier this year, Swedish fashion giant H&M's and US-based Nike Inc faced a backlash from Chinese state media and ecommerce platforms after expressing concern about allegations forced labour had been used to produce cotton in Xinjiang. "The Chinese government has amply demonstrated its willingness to curb or in some cases shut down foreign businesses' operations in the country if they challenge the government openly or even engage in perceived or indirect slights," said Cornell's Prasad. A week ago Dimon was granted an exemption by the Hong Kong government to visit the Chinese-controlled financial hub without needing to quarantine. Visitors to the city from most countries must stay in hotel quarantine for two to three weeks at their own cost. Dimon was in Hong Kong for 32 hours after arriving by private jet. "Jamie Dimon's best and worst trait is that he speaks his mind," said Wells Fargo analyst Mike Mayo. "It typically works well for him and makes him more authentic and appreciated by investors. But sometimes it gets him into trouble."

Dimon says he regrets comment on JPMorgan outlasting China Communist Party

Things are not looking well for Travis Scott.

 
On Monday, global high-street footwear and apparel brand Nike made an announcement about their upcoming customised shoe launch with the rapper: they are pushing its release otherwise scheduled for December 16.&nbsp;

 
This move comes just days after Travis Scott's gig at Astroworld turned into a bloody stampede, claiming young lives and leaving hundreds injured.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/puneeth-rajkumar-to-be-honoured-with-karnataka-ratna-award-429900">Puneeth Rajkumar to be honoured with Karnataka Ratna award</a>

 
As per reports, the brand will be postponing the release of its Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack shoe--which was done in collaboration with Scott--"out of respect for everyone impacted by the tragic events at the Astroworld Festival."

 
Nike is yet to delve more details.

 
Travis Scott and Nike started collaborating back in 2017 with Air Force 1 custom-designed shoe collection being their first project together. It was then followed up with AF-1 with his baby blue Cactus Jack Air Jordan 4 with red accents in June 2018.&nbsp;

 
Travis Scott has worked on other partnerships with the brand other than the shoe collection in the last few years. His other&nbsp;Nike collaborations include the Air Jordan 33, the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 6, another pair of Air Forces, and the SB Dunk.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-watch-new-spider-man-no-way-home-trailer-as-it-unveils-villainous-multiverse-429912" hreflang="en">Watch new 'Spider Man: No Way Home' trailer as it unveils villainous multiverse</a>

 
On November 5, a crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival proved fatal for 10 attendants and left more than 300 people were injured.&nbsp;

 
Reportedly, over 36 lawsuits have been filed against Scott and concert organisers following the tragic incident.

 
The victims who lost their lives to the stampede were Ezra Blount, 9, Jacob Jurinek, 21, John Hilgert, 14, Brianna Rodriguez, 16, Franco Patino, 21, Axel Acosta, 21, Rudy Pena, 23, Madison Dubiski, 23, Danish Baig, 27, and Bharti Shahani, 22.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/malian-rapper-dr-keb-freed-three-months-after-kidnapping-429897" hreflang="en">Malian rapper Dr Keb freed three months after kidnapping</a>

Things are not looking well for Travis Scott. On Monday, global high-street footwear and apparel brand Nike made an announcement about their upcoming customised shoe launch with the rapper: they are pushing its release otherwise scheduled for December 16.

Things are not looking well for Travis Scott. On Monday, global high-street footwear and apparel brand Nike made an announcement about their upcoming customised shoe launch with the rapper: they are pushing its release otherwise scheduled for December 16. This move comes just days after Travis Scott's gig at Astroworld turned into a bloody stampede, claiming young lives and leaving hundreds injured. Also read: Puneeth Rajkumar to be honoured with Karnataka Ratna award As per reports, the brand will be postponing the release of its Air Max 1 x Cactus Jack shoe--which was done in collaboration with Scott--"out of respect for everyone impacted by the tragic events at the Astroworld Festival." Nike is yet to delve more details. Travis Scott and Nike started collaborating back in 2017 with Air Force 1 custom-designed shoe collection being their first project together. It was then followed up with AF-1 with his baby blue Cactus Jack Air Jordan 4 with red accents in June 2018. Travis Scott has worked on other partnerships with the brand other than the shoe collection in the last few years. His other Nike collaborations include the Air Jordan 33, the Air Jordan 1, Air Jordan 6, another pair of Air Forces, and the SB Dunk. Also read: Watch new 'Spider Man: No Way Home' trailer as it unveils villainous multiverse On November 5, a crowd surge at the Astroworld Festival proved fatal for 10 attendants and left more than 300 people were injured. Reportedly, over 36 lawsuits have been filed against Scott and concert organisers following the tragic incident. The victims who lost their lives to the stampede were Ezra Blount, 9, Jacob Jurinek, 21, John Hilgert, 14, Brianna Rodriguez, 16, Franco Patino, 21, Axel Acosta, 21, Rudy Pena, 23, Madison Dubiski, 23, Danish Baig, 27, and Bharti Shahani, 22. Also read: Malian rapper Dr Keb freed three months after kidnapping

Astroworld tragedy: Travis Scott's collaboration with popular shoe brand put on hold

Pandemic has not been kind to every worker working from home. Many of them are facing mental issues. With a view to give its employees an opportunity to focus on their mental health, Nike has given staff at its head office a week's break before ahead of their return to office in September.

Nike's head of insights Mark Marazzo made the announcement on LinkedIn a week ago.

"Take the time to unwind, destress and spend time with your loved ones," he told the staff in his announcement.

Marazzo told Nike staff: "Do not work". He said that the past year has been "rough" and that everyone was living through a "traumatic event"&nbsp;

"It's not just a 'week off' for the team... it's an acknowledgment that we can prioritize mental health and still get work done." he said in his announcement.

This is not a first time a corporate company has told its staff to take it easy. Dating app Bumble had told its staff to take a step back to focus on themselves back in June.

Pandemic has not been kind to every worker working from home. Many of them are facing mental issues. With a view to give its employees an opportunity to focus on their mental health, Nike has given staff at its head office a week's break before ahead of their return to office in September.

Pandemic has not been kind to every worker working from home. Many of them are facing mental issues. With a view to give its employees an opportunity to focus on their mental health, Nike has given staff at its head office a week's break before ahead of their return to office in September. Nike's head of insights Mark Marazzo made the announcement on LinkedIn a week ago. "Take the time to unwind, destress and spend time with your loved ones," he told the staff in his announcement. Marazzo told Nike staff: "Do not work". He said that the past year has been "rough" and that everyone was living through a "traumatic event" "It's not just a 'week off' for the team... it's an acknowledgment that we can prioritize mental health and still get work done." he said in his announcement. This is not a first time a corporate company has told its staff to take it easy. Dating app Bumble had told its staff to take a step back to focus on themselves back in June.

Just don't do it: Nike gives its head office staff a week's break

World's largest sportswear maker, Nike Inc, had called off its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar last year. And now, they have revealed the reason behind ending the deal with the Brazilian winger.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/football-from-messi-to-lewandowski-single-season-top-scorers-in-europes-five-main-leagues-386876" hreflang="en">Football: From Messi to Lewandowski: Single season top-scorers in Europe's five main leagues</a>

Nike in a statement said that Neymar refused to cooperate in an investigation into sexual assault allegations levelled against him by a Nike employee.

In a statement, Nike said that the allegations about an incident in 2016 as "credible" but also said an independent investigation it commissioned was inconclusive.

"No single set of facts emerged that would enable us to speak substantively on the matter. It would be inappropriate for Nike to make an accusatory statement without being able to provide supporting facts," the statement said.

However, Neymar's spokeswoman stated that the football star denies all the allegations and said that her client will defend himself if any claim is presented.&nbsp;

"It is very strange a case that was supposed to have happened in 2016, with allegations by a Nike employee, come to light only at that moment," her statement said.

Neymar had signed a 15-year deal with Nike, however, the deal was terminated with eight years remaining.

World's largest sportswear maker, Nike Inc, had called off its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar last year. And now, they have revealed the reason behind ending the deal with the Brazilian winger.

World's largest sportswear maker, Nike Inc, had called off its partnership with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar last year. And now, they have revealed the reason behind ending the deal with the Brazilian winger. ALSO READ: Football: From Messi to Lewandowski: Single season top-scorers in Europe's five main leagues Nike in a statement said that Neymar refused to cooperate in an investigation into sexual assault allegations levelled against him by a Nike employee. In a statement, Nike said that the allegations about an incident in 2016 as "credible" but also said an independent investigation it commissioned was inconclusive. "No single set of facts emerged that would enable us to speak substantively on the matter. It would be inappropriate for Nike to make an accusatory statement without being able to provide supporting facts," the statement said. However, Neymar's spokeswoman stated that the football star denies all the allegations and said that her client will defend himself if any claim is presented. "It is very strange a case that was supposed to have happened in 2016, with allegations by a Nike employee, come to light only at that moment," her statement said. Neymar had signed a 15-year deal with Nike, however, the deal was terminated with eight years remaining.

Major sports brand reveals reason behind dropping football star Neymar

Nike Inc said on Thursday a Brooklyn company that made 'Satan Shoes'&nbsp;in collaboration with the rapper Lil Nas X has agreed to voluntarily recall the shoes, as part of a legal settlement with the athletics giant. 
 
The settlement with MSCHF Product Studio Inc resolves a trademark infringement lawsuit that Nike filed last week over the black-and-red, devil-themed sneakers, which carry the Nike "swoosh" logo and quickly sold out at $1,018 a pair. 
 
Satan Shoes are customized versions of the Nike Air Max 97 sneakers, with midsoles purporting to contain a drop of human blood, and printed with "Luke 10:18," a reference to a Biblical verse that alludes to Satan`s fall from heaven.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/nike-wins-lawsuit-against-lil-nas-xs-satan-shoes-with-human-blood-375111" hreflang="en">Shoe brand wins lawsuit against Lil Nas X's 'Satan Shoes' with human blood</a> 
 
Only 666 pairs were made, with the last held back so Lil Nas X, known for the song "Old Town Road," could choose the recipient. Nike said MSCHF will offer full refunds to purchasers of its Satan Shoes and Jesus Shoes, which were launched in 2019 and also based on the Air Max 97, "to remove them from circulation." 
 
Limited edition shoes can fetch premium prices among collectors, however, and those obtaining refunds could miss out on price appreciation. 
David Bernstein, who chairs the intellectual property litigation group at Debevoise &amp; Plimpton and represents MSCHF, said the artistic messages MSCHF hoped the shoes would convey were "dramatically amplified" by Nike`s lawsuit.

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/entertainment/lil-nas-x-shares-apology-video-for-launching-satan-shoes-that-have-human-blood-374108" hreflang="en">Lil Nas X shares apology video for launching Satan Shoes that have human blood</a> 
 
"MSCHF intended to comment on the absurdity of the collaboration culture practised by some brands, and about the perniciousness of intolerance," he said. "Having achieved its artistic purpose, MSCHF is pleased to have resolved the lawsuit." 
 
Lil Nas X was not a defendant and never got to choose who received the last pair after a Brooklyn judge temporarily halted further sales on April 1. 
Nike had claimed that even "sneakerheads" were confused about who produced Satan Shoes, while MSCHF said the shoes were "individually-numbered works of art" and did not sow confusion. 
 
In March, Lil Nas X released a devil-themed video for his song "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)."

Nike Inc said on Thursday a Brooklyn company that made 'Satan Shoes' in collaboration with the rapper Lil Nas X has agreed to voluntarily recall the shoes, as part of a legal settlement with the athletics giant.

Nike Inc said on Thursday a Brooklyn company that made 'Satan Shoes' in collaboration with the rapper Lil Nas X has agreed to voluntarily recall the shoes, as part of a legal settlement with the athletics giant. The settlement with MSCHF Product Studio Inc resolves a trademark infringement lawsuit that Nike filed last week over the black-and-red, devil-themed sneakers, which carry the Nike "swoosh" logo and quickly sold out at $1,018 a pair. Satan Shoes are customized versions of the Nike Air Max 97 sneakers, with midsoles purporting to contain a drop of human blood, and printed with "Luke 10:18," a reference to a Biblical verse that alludes to Satan`s fall from heaven. Shoe brand wins lawsuit against Lil Nas X's 'Satan Shoes' with human blood Only 666 pairs were made, with the last held back so Lil Nas X, known for the song "Old Town Road," could choose the recipient. Nike said MSCHF will offer full refunds to purchasers of its Satan Shoes and Jesus Shoes, which were launched in 2019 and also based on the Air Max 97, "to remove them from circulation." Limited edition shoes can fetch premium prices among collectors, however, and those obtaining refunds could miss out on price appreciation. David Bernstein, who chairs the intellectual property litigation group at Debevoise & Plimpton and represents MSCHF, said the artistic messages MSCHF hoped the shoes would convey were "dramatically amplified" by Nike`s lawsuit. Lil Nas X shares apology video for launching Satan Shoes that have human blood "MSCHF intended to comment on the absurdity of the collaboration culture practised by some brands, and about the perniciousness of intolerance," he said. "Having achieved its artistic purpose, MSCHF is pleased to have resolved the lawsuit." Lil Nas X was not a defendant and never got to choose who received the last pair after a Brooklyn judge temporarily halted further sales on April 1. Nike had claimed that even "sneakerheads" were confused about who produced Satan Shoes, while MSCHF said the shoes were "individually-numbered works of art" and did not sow confusion. In March, Lil Nas X released a devil-themed video for his song "Montero (Call Me By Your Name)."

Nike ends lawsuit over Lil Nas X 'Satan Shoes', which will be recalled

Lil Nas X and MSCHF have lost their first legal battle against Nike over his controversial '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lil-nas-x-shares-apology-video-for-launching-satan-shoes-that-have-human-blood-374108">Satan Shoes</a>'. The sportswear company filed a lawsuit against the makers over trademark infringement as they “were produced without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.” and asked a federal court in New York to stop them from selling the shoes. 
 
The judge ultimately ruled that Nike has pretty much proven&nbsp;their side and that led to a temporary restraining order against the unofficial Nike sneakers. 
&nbsp; 
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nike claimed that the Satan shoes have damaged the company’s professional reputation as people believe they’re an official release causing many customers to threaten to boycott the company. However, MSCHF’s lawyers argued that their client had no plans to produce more than 666 pairs of the shoe.

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The 21-year old grabbed headlines after he launched the controversial Satan-themed shoes-which claim&nbsp;to have human blood in them. The shoes were apparently modified Nike Air Max 97s featuring an inverted cross, a Pentagram and a message from Luke 10:18 of The Bible about Satan's fall from heaven. The shoes were up for sale at a price of $1,018. 
 
Soon after the launch after the people from around the globe slammed Nike, MSCHF and Lil Nas, the shoe giant quickly sided them away from the controversy and said, "We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them." 
 
The rapper who left upset after the ruling also reacted,&nbsp;here's what he tweeted.

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sorry guys i’m legally not allowed to give the 666th pair away anymore because of the crying nerds on the internet <a href="https://t.co/URoj0kGnRq">https://t.co/URoj0kGnRq</a>
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1377769656937631745?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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i haven’t been upset until today, i feel like it’s fucked up they have so much power they can get shoes cancelled. freedom of expression gone out the window. but that’s gonna change soon.
— nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) <a href="https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1377772296371204099?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Lil Nas X and MSCHF have lost their first legal battle against Nike over his controversial 'Satan Shoes'. The sportswear company filed a lawsuit against the makers over trademark infringement as they “were produced without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.

Lil Nas X and MSCHF have lost their first legal battle against Nike over his controversial 'Satan Shoes'. The sportswear company filed a lawsuit against the makers over trademark infringement as they “were produced without Nike’s approval or authorization, and Nike is in no way connected with this project.” and asked a federal court in New York to stop them from selling the shoes. The judge ultimately ruled that Nike has pretty much proven their side and that led to a temporary restraining order against the unofficial Nike sneakers. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Nike claimed that the Satan shoes have damaged the company’s professional reputation as people believe they’re an official release causing many customers to threaten to boycott the company. However, MSCHF’s lawyers argued that their client had no plans to produce more than 666 pairs of the shoe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by MSCHF (@mschf) × The 21-year old grabbed headlines after he launched the controversial Satan-themed shoes-which claim to have human blood in them. The shoes were apparently modified Nike Air Max 97s featuring an inverted cross, a Pentagram and a message from Luke 10:18 of The Bible about Satan's fall from heaven. The shoes were up for sale at a price of $1,018. Soon after the launch after the people from around the globe slammed Nike, MSCHF and Lil Nas, the shoe giant quickly sided them away from the controversy and said, "We do not have a relationship with Little Nas X or MSCHF. Nike did not design or release these shoes and we do not endorse them." The rapper who left upset after the ruling also reacted, here's what he tweeted. sorry guys i’m legally not allowed to give the 666th pair away anymore because of the crying nerds on the internet https://t.co/URoj0kGnRq — nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) April 1, 2021 × i haven’t been upset until today, i feel like it’s fucked up they have so much power they can get shoes cancelled. freedom of expression gone out the window. but that’s gonna change soon. — nope 🏹 (@LilNasX) April 1, 2021 ×

Shoe brand wins lawsuit against Lil Nas X's 'Satan Shoes' with human blood

Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies Co has suspended downloads of sportswear brands Nike and Adidas from its app store amid the Xinjiang cotton controversy.

Anger with Nike Inc and Adidas erupted on Chinese social media late on Wednesday after China's netizens spotted a statement from the former&nbsp;saying it was "concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang and that it does not use cotton from the region.

Topics around the Nike statement were among the highest trending on China's Twitter-like social media Weibo on Thursday, and the social media backlash had a wider fallout.

Since then, although the Chinese government has not singled out any particular company, a nationwide consumer boycott against foreign brands -- including H&amp;M, Nike, Adidas and Burberry -- has swept the country.

To this end, on Monday morning, Nike and Adidas apps on Huawei’s app store were not available to download.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-nike-faces-social-media-storm-in-china-over-xinjiang-statement-372985">Also read |&nbsp;Nike faces social media storm in China over Xinjiang statement</a>

As of Monday, however, the brands could still be found on major Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, JD.com and Pinduoduo. And consumer demand continued to be on the higher side.

The brands’ social media accounts are still accessible, along with the Chinese version of its website.

Swedish retailer H&amp;M was one of the hardest-hit brands in the Xinjiang boycott. A number of major Chinese tech firms have erased the clothing company’s virtual presence from their platforms.

The social media fallout comes as relations between the United States and China have deteriorated in recent years.

In the latest development, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China retaliated with sanctions on European lawmakers and institutions.

(with inputs)

Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies Co has suspended downloads of sportswear brands Nike and Adidas from its app store amid the Xinjiang cotton controversy.

Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies Co has suspended downloads of sportswear brands Nike and Adidas from its app store amid the Xinjiang cotton controversy. Anger with Nike Inc and Adidas erupted on Chinese social media late on Wednesday after China's netizens spotted a statement from the former saying it was "concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang and that it does not use cotton from the region. Topics around the Nike statement were among the highest trending on China's Twitter-like social media Weibo on Thursday, and the social media backlash had a wider fallout. Since then, although the Chinese government has not singled out any particular company, a nationwide consumer boycott against foreign brands -- including H&M, Nike, Adidas and Burberry -- has swept the country. To this end, on Monday morning, Nike and Adidas apps on Huawei’s app store were not available to download. Also read | Nike faces social media storm in China over Xinjiang statement As of Monday, however, the brands could still be found on major Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Taobao, JD.com and Pinduoduo. And consumer demand continued to be on the higher side. The brands’ social media accounts are still accessible, along with the Chinese version of its website. Swedish retailer H&M was one of the hardest-hit brands in the Xinjiang boycott. A number of major Chinese tech firms have erased the clothing company’s virtual presence from their platforms. The social media fallout comes as relations between the United States and China have deteriorated in recent years. In the latest development, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China retaliated with sanctions on European lawmakers and institutions. (with inputs)

Huawei removes Nike and Adidas from its app store amid Xinjiang row

Several brands have come under attack on Chinese social media over the past comments they&nbsp;have made about labour conditions in Xinjiang, part of a diplomatic row between China and the West.

Nike and&nbsp;Adidas&nbsp;were the latest caught up in a backlash prompted by a Chinese government call to stop foreign brands from tainting China's name as internet users found statements they had made in the past on Xinjiang.

Some internet users said they would stop buying Nike and will support local brands such as Li Ning and Anta, while others told Adidas to leave China.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uighur-muslims-protest-against-treatment-amid-chinese-foreign-ministers-visit-373092" hreflang="en">Uighur Muslims protest against treatment amid Chinese foreign minister's visit</a>

Activists and U.N. experts say that more than 1 million Muslim&nbsp;Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are being held against their will in harsh camps in the remote western region.

Chinese state media had singled out H&amp;M on Wednesday over a statement reported last year where the Swedish fashion retailer said it was deeply concerned by reports of accusations of forced labour in Xinjiang, and that it did not source products from the Chinese region.

However, there are&nbsp;still some brands that are yet to raise their voices against&nbsp;China's human rights abuses. These include 83 brands which are&nbsp;directly or indirectly benefiting from China's&nbsp;abusive labour programs.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-targets-nike-and-hm-over-ban-on-xinjiang-cotton-373202">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-china-targets-nike-and-hm-over-ban-on-xinjiang-cotton-373202/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

These brands include,&nbsp;Abercombie &amp; fitch,&nbsp;Acer,&nbsp;Adidas, Puma, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, Panasonic, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. This data is based on supplier lists, media reports&nbsp;and details of claimed suppliers by respective factories.

According to report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute,&nbsp;more than 80,000 Uighurs were transfered out of Xinjiang between 2017 and 2019.

They were&nbsp;were sent to factories far away from home, forced to live in segregated dormitories as well as undergo&nbsp;lessons in mandarin and ideological training.

In these factories, they are&nbsp;subjected to constant surveillance and are&nbsp;are forbidden from celebrating their festivals. If&nbsp;they refuse to comply, the&nbsp;they are sent to detention camps.

The report states&nbsp;that 27 factories in 9 Chinese provinces&nbsp;are part of this abusive labour program.

In July 2020, Adidas and Lacoste pledged to cut down on forced labour supply chains. While in November, Apple was lobbying against a bill to stop companies benefiting from forced labour.

Several brands have come under attack on Chinese social media over the past comments they have made about labour conditions in Xinjiang, part of a diplomatic row between China and the West.

Several brands have come under attack on Chinese social media over the past comments they have made about labour conditions in Xinjiang, part of a diplomatic row between China and the West. Nike and Adidas were the latest caught up in a backlash prompted by a Chinese government call to stop foreign brands from tainting China's name as internet users found statements they had made in the past on Xinjiang. Some internet users said they would stop buying Nike and will support local brands such as Li Ning and Anta, while others told Adidas to leave China. Also read| Uighur Muslims protest against treatment amid Chinese foreign minister's visit Activists and U.N. experts say that more than 1 million Muslim Uighurs and other Turkic Muslims are being held against their will in harsh camps in the remote western region. Chinese state media had singled out H&M on Wednesday over a statement reported last year where the Swedish fashion retailer said it was deeply concerned by reports of accusations of forced labour in Xinjiang, and that it did not source products from the Chinese region. However, there are still some brands that are yet to raise their voices against China's human rights abuses. These include 83 brands which are directly or indirectly benefiting from China's abusive labour programs. Watch | These brands include, Abercombie & fitch, Acer, Adidas, Puma, Lacoste, Tommy Hilfiger, Skechers, Panasonic, Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. This data is based on supplier lists, media reports and details of claimed suppliers by respective factories. According to report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, more than 80,000 Uighurs were transfered out of Xinjiang between 2017 and 2019. They were were sent to factories far away from home, forced to live in segregated dormitories as well as undergo lessons in mandarin and ideological training. In these factories, they are subjected to constant surveillance and are are forbidden from celebrating their festivals. If they refuse to comply, the they are sent to detention camps. The report states that 27 factories in 9 Chinese provinces are part of this abusive labour program. In July 2020, Adidas and Lacoste pledged to cut down on forced labour supply chains. While in November, Apple was lobbying against a bill to stop companies benefiting from forced labour.

Which foreign brands are feeding China's slave camps in Xinjiang

Brands like Nike and H&M are finding out the cost of raising China's human rights violations. The brands are facing boycott calls from the Chinese press and citizens. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more about Beijing's campaign of manufactured outrage.

Gravitas: China targets Nike and H&M over ban on Xinjiang Cotton

Anger with Nike Inc erupted on Chinese social media late on Wednesday after China`s netizens spotted a statement from the sporting goods giant saying it was "concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang and that it does not use cotton from the region.

Topics around the Nike statement were among the highest trending on China`s Twitter-like social media Weibo on Thursday, and the social media backlash had a wider fallout.

Popular Chinese actor Wang Yibo terminated his contract as a representative for Nike in response to social media criticism over the company`s Xinjiang statement, his agency said on Weibo on Thursday.

It was unclear when Nike had put out the statement, which did not have a date on it. Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"We are concerned about reports of forced labor in, and connected to, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)," Nike said in the statement.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-which-global-brands-are-using-uighur-labour-373196">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-which-global-brands-are-using-uighur-labour-373196/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Nike does not source products from the XUAR and we have confirmed with our contract suppliers that they are not using textiles or spun yarn from the region."

The social media fallout comes as relations between the United States and China have deteriorated in recent years.

In the latest development, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China retaliated with sanctions on European lawmakers and institutions.

Earlier this week, at least one Chinese online retailer appeared to drop H&amp;M`s products amid social media attacks on the Swedish company for saying it was "deeply concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang.

Activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations in Xinjiang. China has denied these claims and says it is providing vocational training, and that its measures are needed to fight extremism.

Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times urged Western companies on Wednesday to be "highly cautious" and not to "suppress China`s Xinjiang" in a social media post.

To do so would "undoubtedly arouse the anger of the Chinese public," he added. He did not single out any companies.

Anger with Nike Inc erupted on Chinese social media late on Wednesday after China`s netizens spotted a statement from the sporting goods giant saying it was "concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang and that it does not use cotton from the region.

Anger with Nike Inc erupted on Chinese social media late on Wednesday after China`s netizens spotted a statement from the sporting goods giant saying it was "concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang and that it does not use cotton from the region. Topics around the Nike statement were among the highest trending on China`s Twitter-like social media Weibo on Thursday, and the social media backlash had a wider fallout. Popular Chinese actor Wang Yibo terminated his contract as a representative for Nike in response to social media criticism over the company`s Xinjiang statement, his agency said on Weibo on Thursday. It was unclear when Nike had put out the statement, which did not have a date on it. Nike did not immediately respond to a request for comment. "We are concerned about reports of forced labor in, and connected to, the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR)," Nike said in the statement. Watch | "Nike does not source products from the XUAR and we have confirmed with our contract suppliers that they are not using textiles or spun yarn from the region." The social media fallout comes as relations between the United States and China have deteriorated in recent years. In the latest development, the United States, the European Union, Britain and Canada on Monday imposed sanctions on Chinese officials for alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China retaliated with sanctions on European lawmakers and institutions. Earlier this week, at least one Chinese online retailer appeared to drop H&M`s products amid social media attacks on the Swedish company for saying it was "deeply concerned" about reports of forced labour in Xinjiang. Activists and some Western politicians accuse China of using torture, forced labour and sterilisations in Xinjiang. China has denied these claims and says it is providing vocational training, and that its measures are needed to fight extremism. Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the state-run Global Times urged Western companies on Wednesday to be "highly cautious" and not to "suppress China`s Xinjiang" in a social media post. To do so would "undoubtedly arouse the anger of the Chinese public," he added. He did not single out any companies.

Nike faces social media storm in China over Xinjiang statement

A video ad from Nike Japan against bullying and racism that features biracial athletes and other minorities, such as those of Korean descent, has prompted a sharp online response including calls to boycott the company.

Japan has traditionally prided itself on being racially homogeneous, although successful mixed-race athletes such as tennis star Naomi Osaka are challenging that image.

The commercial, “Keep Moving: Yourself, the Future,” released on Nov 30, shows several teen girls bullied in school over their race or other differences, but who ultimately find confidence through soccer prowess. 
&nbsp;

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動かしつづける。自分を。未来を。<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YouCantStopUs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YouCantStopUs</a><a href="https://t.co/EEkOkOOeLt">https://t.co/EEkOkOOeLt</a> <a href="https://t.co/aPnZcPAO05">pic.twitter.com/aPnZcPAO05</a>
— Nike Japan (@nikejapan) <a href="https://twitter.com/nikejapan/status/1332519583882862595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 28, 2020</a></blockquote>
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One scene features a girl whose father is Black surrounded by fellow students, squealing and pulling her hair.

The video, viewed 14.1 million times on Nike Japan’s Twitter feed by noon (0300 GMT) Wednesday, had racked up 63,000 likes but also a cascade of critical comments from many who vowed never to buy Nike products again.

“Nowadays, you often see one or two people of different nationalities going to school perfectly peacefully. The one that’s prejudiced is Nike,” wrote one user named “hira1216”.

Another asked, “Is it so much fun to blame Japan?”

Although Japanese sports fans have celebrated Osaka, who counts Nike as a sponsor and makes a cameo appearance in the ad, she was once depicted as a cartoon character by another sponsor, Nissin, with pale hair and light brown hair, while a comedy duo said she “needed some bleach”.

Nike Japan was not immediately able to comment on the response but said on its website it believes in the transformative nature of sports.

“We have long listened to minority voices, supported and spoken for causes that fit our values,” it added.

“We believe sports have the power to show what a better world looks like, to bring people together and encourage action in their respective communities.”

A video ad from Nike Japan against bullying and racism that features biracial athletes and other minorities, such as those of Korean descent, has prompted a sharp online response including calls to boycott the company.

A video ad from Nike Japan against bullying and racism that features biracial athletes and other minorities, such as those of Korean descent, has prompted a sharp online response including calls to boycott the company. Japan has traditionally prided itself on being racially homogeneous, although successful mixed-race athletes such as tennis star Naomi Osaka are challenging that image. The commercial, “Keep Moving: Yourself, the Future,” released on Nov 30, shows several teen girls bullied in school over their race or other differences, but who ultimately find confidence through soccer prowess. 動かしつづける。自分を。未来を。#YouCantStopUshttps://t.co/EEkOkOOeLt pic.twitter.com/aPnZcPAO05 — Nike Japan (@nikejapan) November 28, 2020 × One scene features a girl whose father is Black surrounded by fellow students, squealing and pulling her hair. The video, viewed 14.1 million times on Nike Japan’s Twitter feed by noon (0300 GMT) Wednesday, had racked up 63,000 likes but also a cascade of critical comments from many who vowed never to buy Nike products again. “Nowadays, you often see one or two people of different nationalities going to school perfectly peacefully. The one that’s prejudiced is Nike,” wrote one user named “hira1216”. Another asked, “Is it so much fun to blame Japan?” Although Japanese sports fans have celebrated Osaka, who counts Nike as a sponsor and makes a cameo appearance in the ad, she was once depicted as a cartoon character by another sponsor, Nissin, with pale hair and light brown hair, while a comedy duo said she “needed some bleach”. Nike Japan was not immediately able to comment on the response but said on its website it believes in the transformative nature of sports. “We have long listened to minority voices, supported and spoken for causes that fit our values,” it added. “We believe sports have the power to show what a better world looks like, to bring people together and encourage action in their respective communities.”

Japan Nike ad on bullying, racism sparks massive online response

Nike and Coca-Cola are among the major companies and business groups lobbying Congress to weaken a bill that would ban imported goods made with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region, according to congressional staff members and other people familiar with the matter, as well as lobbying records that show vast spending on the legislation.

The bill, which would prohibit broad categories of certain goods made by persecuted Muslim minorities in an effort to crackdown on human rights abuses, has gained bipartisan support, passing the House in September by a margin of 406-3. Congressional aides say it has the backing to pass the Senate and could be signed into law by either the Trump administration or the incoming Biden administration.

But the legislation, called the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, has become the target of multinational companies including Apple, whose supply chains touch the far western Xinjiang region, as well as of business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Lobbyists have fought to water down some of its provisions, arguing that while they strongly condemn forced labor and current atrocities in Xinjiang, the act’s ambitious requirements could wreak havoc on supply chains that are deeply embedded in China.

Xinjiang produces vast amounts of raw materials like cotton, coal, sugar, tomatoes and polysilicon, and supplies workers for China’s apparel and footwear factories. Human rights groups and news reports have linked many multinational companies to suppliers there, including tying Coca-Cola to sugar sourced from Xinjiang, and documenting Uighur workers in a factory in Qingdao that makes Nike shoes.

In a report issued in March, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, listed Nike and Coca-Cola as companies suspected of ties to forced labor in Xinjiang, alongside Adidas, Calvin Klein, Campbell Soup Co., Costco, H&amp;amp;M, Patagonia, Tommy Hilfiger and others.

In a statement, Coca-Cola said that it “strictly prohibits any type of forced labor in our supply chain” and uses third-party auditors to closely monitor its suppliers. It also said that the COFCO Tunhe facility in Xinjiang, which supplies sugar to a local bottling facility and had been linked to allegations of forced labor by The Wall Street Journal and Chinese-language news media, “successfully completed an audit in 2019.”

Greg Rossiter, the director of global communications at Nike, said the company “did not lobby against” the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act but instead had “constructive discussions” with congressional staff aides aimed at eliminating forced labor and protecting human rights.

Asked about the allegations of forced labor, Nike referred to a statement in March in which it said that it did not source products from Xinjiang and that it had confirmed that its suppliers were not using textiles or yarn from the region.

Nike said that the Qingdao factory had stopped hiring new workers from Xinjiang in 2019, and that an independent audit confirmed there were no longer employees from there at the facility. (According to a report published in March by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that cited state media, the factory employed around 800 Uighur workers at the end of 2019 and produced more than 7 million pairs of shoes for Nike each year.)

China’s vast campaign of suppressing and forcibly assimilating Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang has attracted the scorn of politicians and consumers around the world.

But for many companies, fully investigating and eliminating any potential ties to forced labor there has been difficult, given the opacity of Chinese supply chains and the limited access of auditors to a region where the Chinese government tightly restricts people’s movements.

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would require companies sending goods to the United States to scrutinize those supply chains, or perhaps abandon Chinese suppliers altogether. It would impose high standards, barring imports of goods made “in whole or in part” in Xinjiang unless companies prove to customs officials that their products were not made with forced labor.

The bill also targets so-called poverty alleviation and pairing programs that ship Muslims from impoverished areas to work in factories elsewhere, which human rights groups say are often coercive. Companies would be required to disclose information on their ties to Xinjiang to the Securities Exchange Commission.

Richard A. Mojica, a lawyer at Miller &amp;amp; Chevalier, said that for many companies, convincing the authorities that they have no involvement with forced labor could take months. Firms were already responding by trying to find sources for products outside Xinjiang, he said.

“Rebutting a presumption of forced labor is going to be a very challenging endeavor,” he said.

Companies and groups lobbying on the bill have been pushing for various revisions, including easing disclosure requirements, people familiar with the conversations said.

Apple, which has extensive business ties to China, has also lobbied to limit some provisions of the bill, said two congressional staff members and another person familiar with the matter.

Disclosure forms show that Apple paid Fierce Government Relations, a firm led by former staff aides to Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and President George W. Bush, $90,000 to lobby on issues including Xinjiang-related legislation in the third quarter. Apple’s lobbying was previously reported by The Washington Post.

Apple also paid outside firms this year to lobby on another bill, the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act of 2020.

Apple disputed the claim that it had tried to weaken the legislation, saying it supported efforts to strengthen U.S. regulations and believes that the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act should become law.

According to a document viewed by The New York Times, Apple’s suggested edits to the bill included extending some deadlines for compliance, releasing certain information about supply chains to congressional committees rather than to the public, and requiring Chinese entities to be “designated by the United States government” as helping to surveil or detain Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang.

In its March report, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute identified Apple and Nike among 82 companies that potentially benefited, directly or indirectly, from abusive labor transfer programs tied to Xinjiang.

That report said that O-Film Technology, a contractor for Apple, Microsoft, Google and other companies, received at least 700 Uighur workers in a program that was expected to “gradually alter their ideology.” It tied other Apple suppliers, including Foxconn Technology, to similar employment programs.

Apple said in a statement that it had the strongest supplier code of conduct in its industry and that it regularly assessed suppliers, including with surprise audits.

“Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct and any violations of our policies carry immediate consequences, including business termination,” the statement said. “Earlier this year, we conducted a detailed investigation with our suppliers in China and found no evidence of forced labor on Apple production lines and we are continuing to monitor this closely.”

Lobbying disclosures show that companies have spent heavily to sway Congress on Xinjiang-related legislation, although they reveal nothing about their specific requests.

In the first three quarters of 2020, Nike spent $920,000 on in-house lobbying of Congress and other federal agencies. Disclosures do not break down expenditures by topic but show Nike lobbied on matters including physical education grants, taxes and climate change, as well as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act.

Nike also paid outside firms like Cornerstone Government Affairs, Ogilvy, Capitol Counsel, GrayRobinson, American Continental Group, DiNino Associates and Empire Consulting Group more than $400,000 this year to lobby on issues including the act.

Rossiter said that Nike had these firms on retainer long before the Xinjiang legislation was introduced, and that the company actively worked with lobbying firms to engage Congress on a variety of subjects it cares about.

Coca-Cola has also invested heavily, spending $4.68 million in the first three quarters of 2020 on in-house lobbying and hiring Empire Consulting Group and Sidley Austin to lobby on issues including the act.

Coca-Cola said in a statement that it complies with all laws associated with its political activities and has “adopted best-in-class disclosures practices.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce declined to comment on lobbying, instead providing a letter it sent to Congress in November with seven other industry groups. The letter said the groups had long been working to combat forced labor, and urged the government to take a comprehensive approach that would mobilize the administration, Congress and foreign governments to address the problem, in addition to industry.

Nike and Coca-Cola are among the major companies and business groups lobbying Congress to weaken a bill that would ban imported goods made with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region, according to congressional staff members and other people familiar with the matter, as well as lobbying records that show vast spending on the legislation.

Nike and Coca-Cola are among the major companies and business groups lobbying Congress to weaken a bill that would ban imported goods made with forced labor in China’s Xinjiang region, according to congressional staff members and other people familiar with the matter, as well as lobbying records that show vast spending on the legislation. The bill, which would prohibit broad categories of certain goods made by persecuted Muslim minorities in an effort to crackdown on human rights abuses, has gained bipartisan support, passing the House in September by a margin of 406-3. Congressional aides say it has the backing to pass the Senate and could be signed into law by either the Trump administration or the incoming Biden administration. But the legislation, called the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, has become the target of multinational companies including Apple, whose supply chains touch the far western Xinjiang region, as well as of business groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Lobbyists have fought to water down some of its provisions, arguing that while they strongly condemn forced labor and current atrocities in Xinjiang, the act’s ambitious requirements could wreak havoc on supply chains that are deeply embedded in China. Xinjiang produces vast amounts of raw materials like cotton, coal, sugar, tomatoes and polysilicon, and supplies workers for China’s apparel and footwear factories. Human rights groups and news reports have linked many multinational companies to suppliers there, including tying Coca-Cola to sugar sourced from Xinjiang, and documenting Uighur workers in a factory in Qingdao that makes Nike shoes. In a report issued in March, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, listed Nike and Coca-Cola as companies suspected of ties to forced labor in Xinjiang, alongside Adidas, Calvin Klein, Campbell Soup Co., Costco, H&amp;M, Patagonia, Tommy Hilfiger and others. In a statement, Coca-Cola said that it “strictly prohibits any type of forced labor in our supply chain” and uses third-party auditors to closely monitor its suppliers. It also said that the COFCO Tunhe facility in Xinjiang, which supplies sugar to a local bottling facility and had been linked to allegations of forced labor by The Wall Street Journal and Chinese-language news media, “successfully completed an audit in 2019.” Greg Rossiter, the director of global communications at Nike, said the company “did not lobby against” the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act but instead had “constructive discussions” with congressional staff aides aimed at eliminating forced labor and protecting human rights. Asked about the allegations of forced labor, Nike referred to a statement in March in which it said that it did not source products from Xinjiang and that it had confirmed that its suppliers were not using textiles or yarn from the region. Nike said that the Qingdao factory had stopped hiring new workers from Xinjiang in 2019, and that an independent audit confirmed there were no longer employees from there at the facility. (According to a report published in March by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute that cited state media, the factory employed around 800 Uighur workers at the end of 2019 and produced more than 7 million pairs of shoes for Nike each year.) China’s vast campaign of suppressing and forcibly assimilating Uighurs and other minorities in Xinjiang has attracted the scorn of politicians and consumers around the world. But for many companies, fully investigating and eliminating any potential ties to forced labor there has been difficult, given the opacity of Chinese supply chains and the limited access of auditors to a region where the Chinese government tightly restricts people’s movements. The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act would require companies sending goods to the United States to scrutinize those supply chains, or perhaps abandon Chinese suppliers altogether. It would impose high standards, barring imports of goods made “in whole or in part” in Xinjiang unless companies prove to customs officials that their products were not made with forced labor. The bill also targets so-called poverty alleviation and pairing programs that ship Muslims from impoverished areas to work in factories elsewhere, which human rights groups say are often coercive. Companies would be required to disclose information on their ties to Xinjiang to the Securities Exchange Commission. Richard A. Mojica, a lawyer at Miller &amp; Chevalier, said that for many companies, convincing the authorities that they have no involvement with forced labor could take months. Firms were already responding by trying to find sources for products outside Xinjiang, he said. “Rebutting a presumption of forced labor is going to be a very challenging endeavor,” he said. Companies and groups lobbying on the bill have been pushing for various revisions, including easing disclosure requirements, people familiar with the conversations said. Apple, which has extensive business ties to China, has also lobbied to limit some provisions of the bill, said two congressional staff members and another person familiar with the matter. Disclosure forms show that Apple paid Fierce Government Relations, a firm led by former staff aides to Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and President George W. Bush, $90,000 to lobby on issues including Xinjiang-related legislation in the third quarter. Apple’s lobbying was previously reported by The Washington Post. Apple also paid outside firms this year to lobby on another bill, the Uyghur Forced Labor Disclosure Act of 2020. Apple disputed the claim that it had tried to weaken the legislation, saying it supported efforts to strengthen U.S. regulations and believes that the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act should become law. According to a document viewed by The New York Times, Apple’s suggested edits to the bill included extending some deadlines for compliance, releasing certain information about supply chains to congressional committees rather than to the public, and requiring Chinese entities to be “designated by the United States government” as helping to surveil or detain Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. In its March report, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute identified Apple and Nike among 82 companies that potentially benefited, directly or indirectly, from abusive labor transfer programs tied to Xinjiang. That report said that O-Film Technology, a contractor for Apple, Microsoft, Google and other companies, received at least 700 Uighur workers in a program that was expected to “gradually alter their ideology.” It tied other Apple suppliers, including Foxconn Technology, to similar employment programs. Apple said in a statement that it had the strongest supplier code of conduct in its industry and that it regularly assessed suppliers, including with surprise audits. “Looking for the presence of forced labor is part of every supplier assessment we conduct and any violations of our policies carry immediate consequences, including business termination,” the statement said. “Earlier this year, we conducted a detailed investigation with our suppliers in China and found no evidence of forced labor on Apple production lines and we are continuing to monitor this closely.” Lobbying disclosures show that companies have spent heavily to sway Congress on Xinjiang-related legislation, although they reveal nothing about their specific requests. In the first three quarters of 2020, Nike spent $920,000 on in-house lobbying of Congress and other federal agencies. Disclosures do not break down expenditures by topic but show Nike lobbied on matters including physical education grants, taxes and climate change, as well as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. Nike also paid outside firms like Cornerstone Government Affairs, Ogilvy, Capitol Counsel, GrayRobinson, American Continental Group, DiNino Associates and Empire Consulting Group more than $400,000 this year to lobby on issues including the act. Rossiter said that Nike had these firms on retainer long before the Xinjiang legislation was introduced, and that the company actively worked with lobbying firms to engage Congress on a variety of subjects it cares about. Coca-Cola has also invested heavily, spending $4.68 million in the first three quarters of 2020 on in-house lobbying and hiring Empire Consulting Group and Sidley Austin to lobby on issues including the act. Coca-Cola said in a statement that it complies with all laws associated with its political activities and has “adopted best-in-class disclosures practices.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce declined to comment on lobbying, instead providing a letter it sent to Congress in November with seven other industry groups. The letter said the groups had long been working to combat forced labor, and urged the government to take a comprehensive approach that would mobilize the administration, Congress and foreign governments to address the problem, in addition to industry.

Nike and Coca-Cola lobby against Xinjiang forced labor bill

US election 2020: American companies offer off days to encourage employees to vote

Nike’s Michael Jordan sneakers witness bullish market where other stocks are repeatedly facing blows.

In the fifth episode of The Last Dance, a 10-part documentary series, Jordan turned down Nike as his sponsor, costing him lose a billion-dollar opportunity.

The concept of Air Jordan line of sneakers is also documented where the basketball star assumed it would be his final appearance at the Madison Garden, Jordan ties the laces of his first signature sneakers- the Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’, a 13-year old shoe in 1998.

It is a trainer that has been wished by sneakerheads since the ex-Chicago Bulls star wore them as a beginner and it’s been released a couple of times, most recently in 2015.&nbsp;

And while the prices in the resale market for the sneaker has always been bouncy, they shot up after the first episode of the blockbuster series aired.

Cultural significance

Between January 1 and the premiere of the series on April 18, more than 200 pairs of the 2015 Air Jorden 1 ‘Chicago’ were sold for an average price of $925, according to a website that buys and sells sneakers and streetwear.

Within two weeks after the premiere, 60 pairs of the model were sold at an average price of $1,241.

Sneakerhead Paul Barber from Sunderland in the UK runs a sneaker art Instagram account named @Sneaksketchuk and has a collection of Air Jordan 1s.

He had purchased his pair of shoes in December 2018, according to media. The shoes were not cheap then but he was lucky to find a pair in the states which were cheaper, he adds.

Nike had aimed to earn $3 million in your years of sales but the popularity of the shoes was such in 1985 that by the end of one year the company made a profit of $126 million.&nbsp;

Not only the design but its cultural relevance holds importance in the life of Baber and other sneakerheads.

The sneaker had been a revolution and after 35 years its fire still sparkles brightly. The Jordan 1 is unique and a good identifier of who you are as people check your sneakers and give a little nod of appreciation says, Barber.

Not only 1s but prices of other Air Jordans have risen since the premiere.&nbsp;

‘Kobes’

Like the stock market, the sneaker market also represents real-world events. When Kobe Bryant died in January, the previous LA Lakers star’s line of sneakers surged in terms of its value.

Few ‘Kobes’ that were priced at a few hundred dollars suddenly were sold at thousands of dollars.

It was then reported that Nike brought Bryant-related merchandise to face competition in the market, which Nike denied saying that the company had just sold out Kobe products.

Jordan wore the model when he started playing the NBA.

The cultural importance of Air Jordan 1 should not be undermined because most about the ‘sneaker culture’ revolve around the Air Jordan 1.

It is 35 years since the shoe release but it’s still making waves.

Nike’s Michael Jordan sneakers witness bullish market where other stocks are repeatedly facing blows. In the fifth episode of The Last Dance, a 10-part documentary series, Jordan turned down Nike as his sponsor, costing him lose a billion-dollar opportunity.

Nike’s Michael Jordan sneakers witness bullish market where other stocks are repeatedly facing blows. In the fifth episode of The Last Dance, a 10-part documentary series, Jordan turned down Nike as his sponsor, costing him lose a billion-dollar opportunity. The concept of Air Jordan line of sneakers is also documented where the basketball star assumed it would be his final appearance at the Madison Garden, Jordan ties the laces of his first signature sneakers- the Air Jordan 1 ‘Chicago’, a 13-year old shoe in 1998. It is a trainer that has been wished by sneakerheads since the ex-Chicago Bulls star wore them as a beginner and it’s been released a couple of times, most recently in 2015. And while the prices in the resale market for the sneaker has always been bouncy, they shot up after the first episode of the blockbuster series aired. Cultural significance Between January 1 and the premiere of the series on April 18, more than 200 pairs of the 2015 Air Jorden 1 ‘Chicago’ were sold for an average price of $925, according to a website that buys and sells sneakers and streetwear. Within two weeks after the premiere, 60 pairs of the model were sold at an average price of $1,241. Sneakerhead Paul Barber from Sunderland in the UK runs a sneaker art Instagram account named @Sneaksketchuk and has a collection of Air Jordan 1s. He had purchased his pair of shoes in December 2018, according to media. The shoes were not cheap then but he was lucky to find a pair in the states which were cheaper, he adds. Nike had aimed to earn $3 million in your years of sales but the popularity of the shoes was such in 1985 that by the end of one year the company made a profit of $126 million. Not only the design but its cultural relevance holds importance in the life of Baber and other sneakerheads. The sneaker had been a revolution and after 35 years its fire still sparkles brightly. The Jordan 1 is unique and a good identifier of who you are as people check your sneakers and give a little nod of appreciation says, Barber. Not only 1s but prices of other Air Jordans have risen since the premiere. ‘Kobes’ Like the stock market, the sneaker market also represents real-world events. When Kobe Bryant died in January, the previous LA Lakers star’s line of sneakers surged in terms of its value. Few ‘Kobes’ that were priced at a few hundred dollars suddenly were sold at thousands of dollars. It was then reported that Nike brought Bryant-related merchandise to face competition in the market, which Nike denied saying that the company had just sold out Kobe products. Jordan wore the model when he started playing the NBA. The cultural importance of Air Jordan 1 should not be undermined because most about the ‘sneaker culture’ revolve around the Air Jordan 1. It is 35 years since the shoe release but it’s still making waves.

Bullish market in Nike’s Michael Jordan sneakers after the blockbuster series release online

Take a look at how global brands are endorsing social distancing to battle COVID-19

Nike unveiled it's Olympic Collection on Wednesday (February 5), gathering U.S. sport legends in an uptempo fashion show in New York to show off what the team will wear to the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Nike unveils Olympic Collection in New York

How coronavirus is affecting the global economy

Some variants of Nike's Vaporfly running shoes have been outlawed for elite competition and strict limits on the technology developed for any future shoes introduced after World Athletics announced significant changes to its rules on Friday.

The sport's governing body (WA) said that with immediate effect and for elite competition only, road shoes must have soles no thicker than 40mm and not contain more than one rigid, embedded plate.

The Vaporfly variants used by Eliud Kipchoge to run the first sub-two-hour marathon and by fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei to smash the women's marathon world record both contained triple carbon plates inside the thick, ultra-compressed foam, said by Nike to help improve running economy by up to four per cent.

The new rules also state that, from April 30, any shoe used in elite competition must have been generally available to the public for four months - putting paid to the use by Nike and others of prototypes by their athletes in major races.

There will also be new rules governing the construction of track spikes.

WA's review concluded that the new technology "may provide a performance advantage and could raise concerns that it might threaten the integrity of the sport".

WA will now establish an expert working group to guide future research into shoe technology and to assess new shoes that emerge on the market.

Nike did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the decision.

“It is not our job to regulate the entire sports shoe market but it is our duty to preserve the integrity of elite competition by ensuring that the shoes worn by elite athletes in competition do not offer any unfair assistance or advantage," WA President Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

"As we enter the Olympic year, we don’t believe we can rule out shoes that have been generally available for a considerable period of time, but we can draw a line by prohibiting the use of shoes that go further than what is currently on the market while we investigate further.

“I believe these new rules strike the right balance by offering certainty to athletes and manufacturers as they prepare for Tokyo 2020 while addressing the concerns that have been raised about shoe technology."

'Secret weapon'

Nike unleashed the Vaporfly in 2016 and various versions have quickly come to dominate the elite and "serious recreational" side of road running.

Marathon superstar Kipchoge has been the model's flagbearer, wearing them to set a world record, win the 2016 Olympic title and then go under two hours in an unofficial marathon.

Kosgei ran 2:14.04 in last year's Chicago Marathon, taking 81 seconds off Briton Paula Radcliffe's 16-year-old women's marathon world record and making her almost three minutes faster than any other woman in history.

Vaporflys have featured in several other records in the last three years and athletes wearing them took 31 of the 36 top-three finishes in the Marathon Majors series last year. The distinctive pink and green footwear is now widespread throughout the fields of every major race.

Kipchoge and other leading athletes have welcomed the shoes as a natural technological advance, but others say they have gone too far, with Yannis Pitsiladis, a professor of sport and exercise science at Britain's Brighton University, calling them "technological doping".

Nike says the shoes, which cost around $250 and have a lifespan of only around 200 miles, have "a built-in secret weapon that provides a propulsive sensation".

Other manufacturers have also released, or are developing, their own carbon-insoled shoes, but WA's ruling would now appear to have put the brakes on.

WA's action echoes that of swimming' s governing body, which a decade ago banned Speedo's record-smashing LZR speed suit.

Some variants of Nike's Vaporfly running shoes have been outlawed for elite competition and strict limits on the technology developed for any future shoes introduced after World Athletics announced significant changes to its rules on Friday.

Some variants of Nike's Vaporfly running shoes have been outlawed for elite competition and strict limits on the technology developed for any future shoes introduced after World Athletics announced significant changes to its rules on Friday. The sport's governing body (WA) said that with immediate effect and for elite competition only, road shoes must have soles no thicker than 40mm and not contain more than one rigid, embedded plate. The Vaporfly variants used by Eliud Kipchoge to run the first sub-two-hour marathon and by fellow Kenyan Brigid Kosgei to smash the women's marathon world record both contained triple carbon plates inside the thick, ultra-compressed foam, said by Nike to help improve running economy by up to four per cent. The new rules also state that, from April 30, any shoe used in elite competition must have been generally available to the public for four months - putting paid to the use by Nike and others of prototypes by their athletes in major races. There will also be new rules governing the construction of track spikes. WA's review concluded that the new technology "may provide a performance advantage and could raise concerns that it might threaten the integrity of the sport". WA will now establish an expert working group to guide future research into shoe technology and to assess new shoes that emerge on the market. Nike did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the decision. “It is not our job to regulate the entire sports shoe market but it is our duty to preserve the integrity of elite competition by ensuring that the shoes worn by elite athletes in competition do not offer any unfair assistance or advantage," WA President Sebastian Coe said in a statement. "As we enter the Olympic year, we don’t believe we can rule out shoes that have been generally available for a considerable period of time, but we can draw a line by prohibiting the use of shoes that go further than what is currently on the market while we investigate further. “I believe these new rules strike the right balance by offering certainty to athletes and manufacturers as they prepare for Tokyo 2020 while addressing the concerns that have been raised about shoe technology." 'Secret weapon' Nike unleashed the Vaporfly in 2016 and various versions have quickly come to dominate the elite and "serious recreational" side of road running. Marathon superstar Kipchoge has been the model's flagbearer, wearing them to set a world record, win the 2016 Olympic title and then go under two hours in an unofficial marathon. Kosgei ran 2:14.04 in last year's Chicago Marathon, taking 81 seconds off Briton Paula Radcliffe's 16-year-old women's marathon world record and making her almost three minutes faster than any other woman in history. Vaporflys have featured in several other records in the last three years and athletes wearing them took 31 of the 36 top-three finishes in the Marathon Majors series last year. The distinctive pink and green footwear is now widespread throughout the fields of every major race. Kipchoge and other leading athletes have welcomed the shoes as a natural technological advance, but others say they have gone too far, with Yannis Pitsiladis, a professor of sport and exercise science at Britain's Brighton University, calling them "technological doping". Nike says the shoes, which cost around $250 and have a lifespan of only around 200 miles, have "a built-in secret weapon that provides a propulsive sensation". Other manufacturers have also released, or are developing, their own carbon-insoled shoes, but WA's ruling would now appear to have put the brakes on. WA's action echoes that of swimming' s governing body, which a decade ago banned Speedo's record-smashing LZR speed suit.

World Athletics puts the brakes on Nike's record-breaking shoes

Nike's Vaporfly shoe has stirred a lot of controversy regarding its sole giving an edge to athletes in terms of energy efficiency. According to Nike, the shoes provide mind-boggling 4 per cent of energy efficiency to the contestants. Many experts accused the shoe of giving an "unfair advantage" to the runner.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/vaporfly-nikes-shoes-worn-by-marathon-champions-at-risk-of-getting-banned-274923">Unfair advantage? Nike's 'Vaporfly' shoes worn by top runners risk ban</a>

Vaporfly is&nbsp;a common choice of shoes worn by marathon champions. According to The Guardian, World Athletics organization, which is the governing body for most of the international track and field event will not be imposing a ban on Vaporfly shoes.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
“I run to prove to any human in this universe that there are no limitations.” <a href="https://twitter.com/EliudKipchoge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliudKipchoge</a> 
 
A crazy dream come true — Eliud Kipchoge becomes the world’s first to run a marathon in under two hours. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justdoit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justdoit</a> <a href="https://t.co/12mVz1wbpd">pic.twitter.com/12mVz1wbpd</a>
— Nike (@Nike) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike/status/1182955340670947329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The governing body formed a working group of athletes, scientists and legal experts to review the shoe and its technology. They have decided to hold the ban against the shoe, however, a temporary suspension has been placed for any fresh 'shoe technology' until the next summer Olympics which is held in Tokyo which springs on July 24. Companies will be likely to be asked to present their prototype shoes to the World Athletics committee for approval before they could be used in the competitions.

The governing body is&nbsp;yet to announce their official statement, the announcement is slated to take place on Friday.&nbsp;

Vaporfly's dominance in the athletic world is for the world to see, out of 36 positions in six world marathon majors, 31 position holders donned the Nike shoe in the year 2019.

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei are one of the famous record-breaking marathon runners whose names surfaced when questions were raised regarding Vaporfly. These athletes wore the troubled Nike shoe during their record-breaking marathon.&nbsp;

Nike's Vaporfly shoe has stirred a lot of controversy regarding its sole giving an edge to athletes in terms of energy efficiency. According to Nike, the shoes provide mind-boggling 4 per cent of energy efficiency to the contestants.

Nike's Vaporfly shoe has stirred a lot of controversy regarding its sole giving an edge to athletes in terms of energy efficiency. According to Nike, the shoes provide mind-boggling 4 per cent of energy efficiency to the contestants. Many experts accused the shoe of giving an "unfair advantage" to the runner. Also read: Unfair advantage? Nike's 'Vaporfly' shoes worn by top runners risk ban Vaporfly is a common choice of shoes worn by marathon champions. According to The Guardian, World Athletics organization, which is the governing body for most of the international track and field event will not be imposing a ban on Vaporfly shoes. “I run to prove to any human in this universe that there are no limitations.” @EliudKipchoge A crazy dream come true — Eliud Kipchoge becomes the world’s first to run a marathon in under two hours. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/12mVz1wbpd — Nike (@Nike) October 12, 2019 × The governing body formed a working group of athletes, scientists and legal experts to review the shoe and its technology. They have decided to hold the ban against the shoe, however, a temporary suspension has been placed for any fresh 'shoe technology' until the next summer Olympics which is held in Tokyo which springs on July 24. Companies will be likely to be asked to present their prototype shoes to the World Athletics committee for approval before they could be used in the competitions. The governing body is yet to announce their official statement, the announcement is slated to take place on Friday. Vaporfly's dominance in the athletic world is for the world to see, out of 36 positions in six world marathon majors, 31 position holders donned the Nike shoe in the year 2019. Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei are one of the famous record-breaking marathon runners whose names surfaced when questions were raised regarding Vaporfly. These athletes wore the troubled Nike shoe during their record-breaking marathon.

Nike's controversial Vapor Fly to evade ban, rules on running shoes to be stringent

Nike's Vaporfly shoes are making headlines for all wrong reasons for its "unfair technology"&nbsp;that supports athletes during sprints.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nike-shuts-down-oregon-project-after-coach-salazar-banned-255212">Nike shuts down Oregon Project after coach Alberto Salazar banned</a>

Nike said&nbsp;on its website that the shoe, which retails at around $250, has "a built-in secret weapon".

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/quitters-day-study-reveals-people-are-likely-to-give-up-on-their-new-year-resolutions-on-january-19-274753">Quitter's day! Study reveals people are likely to give up on their New Year resolutions on January 19</a>

Analysts say the debate over Nike's "Vaporfly"&nbsp;shoes gives runners an unfair technological advantage and mainly helps the world's largest athletic apparel company sell more shoes.

Independent studies have concluded that the shoes, which has&nbsp;a curved, carbon-fibre plate embedded in a thick layer of lightweight foam, improves metabolic efficiency by 4 per cent, though that does not necessarily mean a runner will be 4 per cent faster.

Nike's shoe has a 1.4-inch sole, higher the sole more the efficiency, whereas other shoes have a sole thickness of 1 inch.

A working group at governing body world athletics has been examining for months on what to do about the hyper-advanced footwear, used by elite runners including Kenya's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../kenyas-kipchoge-becomes-first-ever-to-run- marathon-in-under-two-hours-255461">Eliud Kipchoge</a> and Brigid Kosgei who gave stunning performances last year.

World Athletics' current rules say running shoes can't provide any "unfair assistance or advantage"&nbsp;and they should be available for all.

Laurues Award nominee Eliud Kipchoge broke the record in the Berlin Marathon in 2018. He wore the Vaporfly prototype.&nbsp;

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“I run to prove to any human in this universe that there are no limitations.” <a href="https://twitter.com/EliudKipchoge?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EliudKipchoge</a> 
 
A crazy dream come true — Eliud Kipchoge becomes the world’s first to run a marathon in under two hours. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justdoit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justdoit</a> <a href="https://t.co/12mVz1wbpd">pic.twitter.com/12mVz1wbpd</a>
— Nike (@Nike) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike/status/1182955340670947329?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../kenyas-brigid-kosgei-breaks-womens-half- marathon-world-record-248454">Brigid Kosgei</a> beat the previous record by just 81 seconds in 2019. She ran in the Chicago marathon. She was clocked at 2 hours, 14 minutes and 4 seconds. She wore the infamous Vaporfly.

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If it hasn’t been done before, it’s yours to claim. 
 
Brigid Kosgei becomes the fastest woman in history to run 26.2 miles with a time of 2:14:04. Congrats on your World Record and second consecutive victory at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justdoit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justdoit</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/chicagomarathon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#chicagomarathon</a> <a href="https://t.co/7wQYJvCRWx">pic.twitter.com/7wQYJvCRWx</a>
— Nike (@Nike) <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike/status/1183433710881792000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 13, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Shares in the Oregon-based firm were up 0.5 per cent, while those in rivals Under Armor and Skechers USA gained about 1.5 per cent. Japan's Asics corp. earlier closed up 2.5 per cent.

Nike's Vaporfly shoes are making headlines for all wrong reasons for its "unfair technology" that supports athletes during sprints. Also read- Nike shuts down Oregon Project after coach Alberto Salazar banned Nike said on its website that the shoe, which retails at around $250, has "a built-in secret weapon".

Nike's Vaporfly shoes are making headlines for all wrong reasons for its "unfair technology" that supports athletes during sprints. Also read- Nike shuts down Oregon Project after coach Alberto Salazar banned Nike said on its website that the shoe, which retails at around $250, has "a built-in secret weapon". Also read- Quitter's day! Study reveals people are likely to give up on their New Year resolutions on January 19 Analysts say the debate over Nike's "Vaporfly" shoes gives runners an unfair technological advantage and mainly helps the world's largest athletic apparel company sell more shoes. Independent studies have concluded that the shoes, which has a curved, carbon-fibre plate embedded in a thick layer of lightweight foam, improves metabolic efficiency by 4 per cent, though that does not necessarily mean a runner will be 4 per cent faster. Nike's shoe has a 1.4-inch sole, higher the sole more the efficiency, whereas other shoes have a sole thickness of 1 inch. A working group at governing body world athletics has been examining for months on what to do about the hyper-advanced footwear, used by elite runners including Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge and Brigid Kosgei who gave stunning performances last year. World Athletics' current rules say running shoes can't provide any "unfair assistance or advantage" and they should be available for all. Laurues Award nominee Eliud Kipchoge broke the record in the Berlin Marathon in 2018. He wore the Vaporfly prototype. “I run to prove to any human in this universe that there are no limitations.” @EliudKipchoge A crazy dream come true — Eliud Kipchoge becomes the world’s first to run a marathon in under two hours. #justdoit pic.twitter.com/12mVz1wbpd — Nike (@Nike) October 12, 2019 × Brigid Kosgei beat the previous record by just 81 seconds in 2019. She ran in the Chicago marathon. She was clocked at 2 hours, 14 minutes and 4 seconds. She wore the infamous Vaporfly. If it hasn’t been done before, it’s yours to claim. Brigid Kosgei becomes the fastest woman in history to run 26.2 miles with a time of 2:14:04. Congrats on your World Record and second consecutive victory at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. #justdoit #chicagomarathon pic.twitter.com/7wQYJvCRWx — Nike (@Nike) October 13, 2019 × Shares in the Oregon-based firm were up 0.5 per cent, while those in rivals Under Armor and Skechers USA gained about 1.5 per cent. Japan's Asics corp. earlier closed up 2.5 per cent.

Unfair advantage? Nike's 'Vaporfly' shoes worn by top runners risk ban

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/liverpool-set-for-nike-deal-after-winning-new-balance-case-258176">Nike</a> announced its new Victory Swim Collection on Wednesday which will include a Full-Coverage Swimsuit and will&nbsp;provide a game-changing option for female athletes seeking full coverage and a full range of motion in the water.&nbsp;

The Nike Victory Swim Line is slated to&nbsp;be available globally at select retailers and online from February 1, 2020,&nbsp;onwards. It will&nbsp;include swim separate options of hijab, tunic top and leggings for modest swimwear along with the full coverage swimsuit.&nbsp;

"The design of the Nike Victory Swim Collection serves a variety of needs from modesty preferences to sun protection and represents Nike's commitment to inclusive design, providing more women with game-changing innovation to enjoy sport," the company said.

Nike was inspired by athletes passionate response to the company’s ''Pro Hijab''&nbsp;in 2017 which addressed issues that female athletes faced trying to find a hijab that worked well for a particular sport in a time hijabs were not fully understood.&nbsp;

Nike designers were introduced to the striking gap in apparel for water sports with athletes commenting that swimwear presented a barrier, rather than a conduit, to enjoying the water.&nbsp;

While variations of “Burkinis” can be found in several Islamic countries and online, the attire is not appropriate for swimming as it weighs the swimmer down, a problem that Nike seems to have solved by making its new line from fabric that is lightweight, breathable and quick-drying with UPF 40+ sun protection.&nbsp;

The company said that it was inspired by Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari, the first in her sport to don the hijab in competition.&nbsp;

Nike’s Creative Director, VP, Martha Moore said that the company was excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport through the means of creative thinking and inclusive design.&nbsp;

“The more we listened, the more possibility we saw to serve female athletes in new dimensions…As we continue broadening our vision for innovation, we’re excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport by thinking creatively and designing inclusively. To us, Nike Victory Swim Collection shows the power of innovation to invite all women to discover the joy of sport,” said Moore in a statement.&nbsp;

Nike announced its new Victory Swim Collection on Wednesday which will include a Full-Coverage Swimsuit and will provide a game-changing option for female athletes seeking full coverage and a full range of motion in the water.

Nike announced its new Victory Swim Collection on Wednesday which will include a Full-Coverage Swimsuit and will provide a game-changing option for female athletes seeking full coverage and a full range of motion in the water. The Nike Victory Swim Line is slated to be available globally at select retailers and online from February 1, 2020, onwards. It will include swim separate options of hijab, tunic top and leggings for modest swimwear along with the full coverage swimsuit. "The design of the Nike Victory Swim Collection serves a variety of needs from modesty preferences to sun protection and represents Nike's commitment to inclusive design, providing more women with game-changing innovation to enjoy sport," the company said. Nike was inspired by athletes passionate response to the company’s ''Pro Hijab'' in 2017 which addressed issues that female athletes faced trying to find a hijab that worked well for a particular sport in a time hijabs were not fully understood. Nike designers were introduced to the striking gap in apparel for water sports with athletes commenting that swimwear presented a barrier, rather than a conduit, to enjoying the water. While variations of “Burkinis” can be found in several Islamic countries and online, the attire is not appropriate for swimming as it weighs the swimmer down, a problem that Nike seems to have solved by making its new line from fabric that is lightweight, breathable and quick-drying with UPF 40+ sun protection. The company said that it was inspired by Emirati figure skater Zahra Lari, the first in her sport to don the hijab in competition. Nike’s Creative Director, VP, Martha Moore said that the company was excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport through the means of creative thinking and inclusive design. “The more we listened, the more possibility we saw to serve female athletes in new dimensions…As we continue broadening our vision for innovation, we’re excited to inspire more women to see themselves in sport by thinking creatively and designing inclusively. To us, Nike Victory Swim Collection shows the power of innovation to invite all women to discover the joy of sport,” said Moore in a statement.

Nike announces new swimwear collection to include ‘Swim Hijab’  

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie has said the organisation will look into athletes who trained under banned coach Alberto Salazar as part of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/nike-shuts-down-oregon-project-after-coach-salazar-banned-255212">Nike Oregon Project </a>(NOP), according to a London Times report on Tuesday.

Salazar, who counts Britain's Olympic and world champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/athletics-farah-splits-with-coach-salazar-moving-back-to-london-23172">Mo Farah</a> among the top distance runners he has coached, was last month banned for four years by the US&nbsp;Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for doping violations.

The USADA investigation found no evidence of any wrongdoing by Salazar's athletes.

"We can look back at what testing these athletes have been subjected to over the years," Reedie told The Times. "But it will be more interesting for us if there are samples we can retest."

According to the report, USADA officials are in the process of sending all of their evidence to WADA's headquarters and The Times understands it would be willing to work alongside the global agency.

USADA chief Travis Tygart told the newspaper in a statement: "We invited WADA to be observers and what they would have seen is that we left no stone unturned. That said, we are happily compiling the evidence and sending it to them."

American Salazar, who was a celebrated distance runner, winning three consecutive New York City marathons starting in 1980, has vowed to appeal his ban.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie has said the organisation will look into athletes who trained under banned coach Alberto Salazar as part of the Nike Oregon Project (NOP), according to a London Times report on Tuesday.

World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President Craig Reedie has said the organisation will look into athletes who trained under banned coach Alberto Salazar as part of the Nike Oregon Project (NOP), according to a London Times report on Tuesday. Salazar, who counts Britain's Olympic and world champion Mo Farah among the top distance runners he has coached, was last month banned for four years by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for doping violations. The USADA investigation found no evidence of any wrongdoing by Salazar's athletes. "We can look back at what testing these athletes have been subjected to over the years," Reedie told The Times. "But it will be more interesting for us if there are samples we can retest." According to the report, USADA officials are in the process of sending all of their evidence to WADA's headquarters and The Times understands it would be willing to work alongside the global agency. USADA chief Travis Tygart told the newspaper in a statement: "We invited WADA to be observers and what they would have seen is that we left no stone unturned. That said, we are happily compiling the evidence and sending it to them." American Salazar, who was a celebrated distance runner, winning three consecutive New York City marathons starting in 1980, has vowed to appeal his ban.

World Anti Doping Agency to investigate athletes coached by banned Salazar - Report

US&nbsp;Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused China of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted US&nbsp;company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech.

In a major policy speech on China that touched on an array of disputes ahead of talks with Beijing to ease a trade war, Pence said the United States does not seek confrontation or to "de-couple" from its main economic rival.

But he pulled no punches when addressing some of the political rifts between the two countries.

Criticizing China's construction of a "surveillance state," and "increasingly provocative" military action, Pence held up Taiwan's Democracy as a better path for Chinese people and took Beijing to task for its handling of pro-democracy protests that have rocked Hong Kong for more than four months.

"Hong Kong is a living example of what can happen when China embraces liberty," he said. "And yet, for the last few years, Beijing has increased its interventions in Hong Kong and engaged in actions that curtail the rights and liberties that Hong Kong's people were guaranteed through a binding international agreement."

He said the United States stands with the protesters in Hong Kong, millions of whom have taken to the streets in sometimes violent clashes over what they see as China's tightening grip.

"We stand with you, we are inspired by you. We urge you to stay on the path of non-violent protest," Pence said in his address at a Washington think tank.

He also slammed China for its treatment of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region.

Pence directed some of his harshest words at sports apparel giant Nike and the NBA, which he accused of siding with China's Communist Party over freedom of speech in Hong Kong.

The vice president, who is often the face of the Trump administration's tougher policies on China, said the NBA and Nike had failed to defend basketball team Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, after he tweeted support of Hong Kong protesters earlier this month.

"Some of the NBA's biggest players and owners, who routinely exercise their freedom to criticize this country, lose their voices when it comes to the freedom and rights of other peoples," he said.

By "siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime," Pence said.

Nike stores in China removed Rockets merchandise after Beijing criticized Morey, Pence noted.

"Nike promotes itself as a so-called social-justice champion, but when it comes to Hong Kong, it prefers checking its social conscience at the door," he said.

Pence said "far too many American multinational corporations have kowtowed to the lure of China's money and markets by muzzling not only criticism of the Chinese Communist Party, but even affirmative expressions of American values."

Nike, the NBA and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the remarks.

Influential Chinese state-backed newspaper the Global Times, however, said in an editorial that while Pence reiterated many of his previous criticisms, there was still "room for optimism."

"He emphasized the US&nbsp;does not want to 'decouple' and repeated how US&nbsp;President Donald Trump is willing to start a new future with China," it said.

Trade talks

The closely watched speech set a discordant tone just weeks before a summit in Chile where US&nbsp;President Donald Trump hopes to finalize a partial trade deal with China's Xi Jinping.

The S&amp;P 500 US&nbsp;stock index briefly moved lower after his comments.

Analysts said Pence's speech appeared aimed at keeping the way open for a trade deal while seeking to convince Trump's support base that he was tough on China going into the 2020 election.

Douglas Paal, a China expert with Washington's Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, called it "a superficial and political speech, not a guiding strategic document."

Scott Kennedy, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, saw it as a bid to provide a rationale for "policy moves on security, economics and politics which originally were much less coordinated and less integrated."

A new round of talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese officials to try to end the bruising trade dispute is set for Friday.

The United States launched a trade war with China 15 months ago, alleging unfair trading practices such as theft of US&nbsp;intellectual property and generous industrial subsidies at the expense of foreign competitors.

Fears of antagonizing Beijing had prompted the White House to postpone Pence's speech, which was originally scheduled for June, ahead of a meeting Trump and Xi aimed at getting trade talks back on track.

Many China watchers had expected Pence to tread lightly on sensitive topics on Thursday, in sharp contrast to the bombastic tone of his first major China policy address a year ago. But some saw signs of a rapprochement as well.

"In contrast to the Hudson Institute speech of October 2018, the Vice President's equally hard-hitting Wilson speech offered the beginnings of a positive vision for US-China relations," said Robert Daly of the Kissinger Institute on China.

Pence said the United States was "not seeking to contain China's development." "We want a constructive relationship with China's leaders," he said, calling on Beijing to "seize this unique moment in history to start anew by ending the trade practices that have taken advantage of the American people for far too long."

US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused China of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted US company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech.

US Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday accused China of curtailing "rights and liberties" in Hong Kong and blasted US company Nike and the National Basketball Association for falling in line with Beijing in a disagreement over free speech. In a major policy speech on China that touched on an array of disputes ahead of talks with Beijing to ease a trade war, Pence said the United States does not seek confrontation or to "de-couple" from its main economic rival. But he pulled no punches when addressing some of the political rifts between the two countries. Criticizing China's construction of a "surveillance state," and "increasingly provocative" military action, Pence held up Taiwan's Democracy as a better path for Chinese people and took Beijing to task for its handling of pro-democracy protests that have rocked Hong Kong for more than four months. "Hong Kong is a living example of what can happen when China embraces liberty," he said. "And yet, for the last few years, Beijing has increased its interventions in Hong Kong and engaged in actions that curtail the rights and liberties that Hong Kong's people were guaranteed through a binding international agreement." He said the United States stands with the protesters in Hong Kong, millions of whom have taken to the streets in sometimes violent clashes over what they see as China's tightening grip. "We stand with you, we are inspired by you. We urge you to stay on the path of non-violent protest," Pence said in his address at a Washington think tank. He also slammed China for its treatment of Muslim Uighurs in the Xinjiang region. Pence directed some of his harshest words at sports apparel giant Nike and the NBA, which he accused of siding with China's Communist Party over freedom of speech in Hong Kong. The vice president, who is often the face of the Trump administration's tougher policies on China, said the NBA and Nike had failed to defend basketball team Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, after he tweeted support of Hong Kong protesters earlier this month. "Some of the NBA's biggest players and owners, who routinely exercise their freedom to criticize this country, lose their voices when it comes to the freedom and rights of other peoples," he said. By "siding with the Chinese Communist Party and silencing free speech, the NBA is acting like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the authoritarian regime," Pence said. Nike stores in China removed Rockets merchandise after Beijing criticized Morey, Pence noted. "Nike promotes itself as a so-called social-justice champion, but when it comes to Hong Kong, it prefers checking its social conscience at the door," he said. Pence said "far too many American multinational corporations have kowtowed to the lure of China's money and markets by muzzling not only criticism of the Chinese Communist Party, but even affirmative expressions of American values." Nike, the NBA and the Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the remarks. Influential Chinese state-backed newspaper the Global Times, however, said in an editorial that while Pence reiterated many of his previous criticisms, there was still "room for optimism." "He emphasized the US does not want to 'decouple' and repeated how US President Donald Trump is willing to start a new future with China," it said. Trade talks The closely watched speech set a discordant tone just weeks before a summit in Chile where US President Donald Trump hopes to finalize a partial trade deal with China's Xi Jinping. The S&P 500 US stock index briefly moved lower after his comments. Analysts said Pence's speech appeared aimed at keeping the way open for a trade deal while seeking to convince Trump's support base that he was tough on China going into the 2020 election. Douglas Paal, a China expert with Washington's Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, called it "a superficial and political speech, not a guiding strategic document." Scott Kennedy, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, saw it as a bid to provide a rationale for "policy moves on security, economics and politics which originally were much less coordinated and less integrated." A new round of talks between Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese officials to try to end the bruising trade dispute is set for Friday. The United States launched a trade war with China 15 months ago, alleging unfair trading practices such as theft of US intellectual property and generous industrial subsidies at the expense of foreign competitors. Fears of antagonizing Beijing had prompted the White House to postpone Pence's speech, which was originally scheduled for June, ahead of a meeting Trump and Xi aimed at getting trade talks back on track. Many China watchers had expected Pence to tread lightly on sensitive topics on Thursday, in sharp contrast to the bombastic tone of his first major China policy address a year ago. But some saw signs of a rapprochement as well. "In contrast to the Hudson Institute speech of October 2018, the Vice President's equally hard-hitting Wilson speech offered the beginnings of a positive vision for US-China relations," said Robert Daly of the Kissinger Institute on China. Pence said the United States was "not seeking to contain China's development." "We want a constructive relationship with China's leaders," he said, calling on Beijing to "seize this unique moment in history to start anew by ending the trade practices that have taken advantage of the American people for far too long."

Pence backs Hong Kong protests in China speech, slams NBA and Nike

Liverpool won a court battle with shirt manufacturers New Balance on Friday, paving the way to sign a lucrative new deal with Nike from the 2020/2021 season.

A judge ruled in favour of the European champions' case that New Balance could not match Nike's enormous distribution network and promise to market Liverpool via "superstar athletes and influencers" such as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Canadian rapper Drake.

New Balance claimed to have triggered a clause in the current deal which would allow them to maintain the contract for another five years come June 1, 2020, if it matched the terms of any competitor's offer.

Nike's £30 million-a-year offer for the next five years falls short of the reported £40 million New Balance currently pay per season.

However, Liverpool will also earn royalties of 20 per cent on all net sales of merchandise barring footwear plus bonuses for winning the Champions League and Premier League.

According to a report in The Athletic, Liverpool hopes to bank £60-£70 million in total per year from the Nike deal.

Mr Justice Teare found that "the New Balance offer on marketing was less favourable to Liverpool FC than the Nike offer" as the company could not match Nike's offer to use "global superstar athletes".

"It must follow that Liverpool FC is not obliged to enter into a new agreement with New Balance," the judge said.

In a statement, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Liverpool FC is pleased with the judge's decision to rule in favour of the club following the legal dispute with our current kit supplier, New Balance.

"We will continue with New Balance for the current season, in combination with preparing next season's Liverpool kits with our new supplier."

&nbsp;

Liverpool won a court battle with shirt manufacturers New Balance on Friday, paving the way to sign a lucrative new deal with Nike from the 2020/2021 season. A judge ruled in favour of the European champions' case that New Balance could not match Nike's enormous distribution network and promise to market Liverpool via "superstar athletes and influencers" such as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Canadian rapper Drake.

Liverpool won a court battle with shirt manufacturers New Balance on Friday, paving the way to sign a lucrative new deal with Nike from the 2020/2021 season. A judge ruled in favour of the European champions' case that New Balance could not match Nike's enormous distribution network and promise to market Liverpool via "superstar athletes and influencers" such as LeBron James, Serena Williams and Canadian rapper Drake. New Balance claimed to have triggered a clause in the current deal which would allow them to maintain the contract for another five years come June 1, 2020, if it matched the terms of any competitor's offer. Nike's £30 million-a-year offer for the next five years falls short of the reported £40 million New Balance currently pay per season. However, Liverpool will also earn royalties of 20 per cent on all net sales of merchandise barring footwear plus bonuses for winning the Champions League and Premier League. According to a report in The Athletic, Liverpool hopes to bank £60-£70 million in total per year from the Nike deal. Mr Justice Teare found that "the New Balance offer on marketing was less favourable to Liverpool FC than the Nike offer" as the company could not match Nike's offer to use "global superstar athletes". "It must follow that Liverpool FC is not obliged to enter into a new agreement with New Balance," the judge said. In a statement, a Liverpool spokesman said: "Liverpool FC is pleased with the judge's decision to rule in favour of the club following the legal dispute with our current kit supplier, New Balance. "We will continue with New Balance for the current season, in combination with preparing next season's Liverpool kits with our new supplier."

Liverpool set for Nike deal after winning New Balance case

Nike Inc's long-time chief executive officer, Mark Parker, will step down next year and be replaced by board member and former eBay CEO John Donahoe, who will be tasked with strengthening the sportswear maker's online strategy.

Donahoe, who has been on Nike's board since 2014, will join the sneaker maker from cloud computing firm ServiceNow Inc, where he was CEO for more than four years. Prior to that, he led online retailer eBay for the seven years through 2015.

Nike's Parker had said last year he would remain CEO and chairman of the footwear maker beyond 2020, with his remarks coming in the midst of a series of executive departures and probes on workplace complaints.

The move comes days after the world's biggest footwear maker shut down its Nike Oregon Project training group, following the recent four-year ban of the centre's founder and coach Alberto Salazar by the US&nbsp;Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Nike did not give any reason for Parker's exit from the top job. In an interview to CNBC, Parker said the change was unrelated to the Oregon Project or any other issues.

Parker joined Nike as one of its first footwear designers in 1979 and held several roles during his tenure at the company before taking charge as its top boss in 2006.

Credited with creating the popular Nike Air sneakers as well as other pioneering products, Parker, in the past few years, oversaw Nike's shift to selling directly to customers online and its success in international markets, particularly China.

He will become Nike's executive chairman and continue to lead the board after Donahoe takes over as CEO.

"We like that (Donahoe) comes from technology and that he comes from the digital space and we like that he is a strategist and a leader ... things that have made Nike positive have been because of those sort of strengths," Jane Hali &amp; Associates analyst Jessica Ramirez said.

Nike's digital revenue surged 35% in the last fiscal year, with the company expecting online sales to account for about a third of its business by 2023.

Edward Jones analyst Brian Yarbrough said Donahoe's e-commerce experience could help with Nike's online push, while Parker could focus more on product development, one of his key strengths.

Hits and misses

During Parker's tenure, Nike's stock surged more than nine-folds. They were marginally higher in extended trading on Tuesday.

Over the past year, however, Parker faced a number of speedbumps as he chased his target of $50 billion in annual sales. He apologised to staff last year after a series of workplace complaints at the company.

Nike also came under fire for featuring an ad with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a national controversy by kneeling during the national anthem.

"Nike has had their fair share of scandals and issues ... and they didn't really go out and look externally. It definitely seems like it could be part of" the Oregon scandal, Yarbrough said, referring to Parker's departure.

Separately, ServiceNow said it appointed Bill McDermott as its CEO. McDermott helmed software maker SAP from 2014 until recently. ServiceNow shares fell about 16% on the news.

McDermott stood down earlier this month after a decade building up SAP as the world's leading enterprise software company, handing the task of completing its transition to cloud computing to new co-CEOs Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein.

Earlier in the day, Nike rival Under Armour Inc said its founder and CEO Kevin Plank would step down, giving his responsibilities to Patrik Frisk, a company insider, hoping a change in leadership will help battle brutal competition from Nike and Adidas in the United States.

Nike Inc's long-time chief executive officer, Mark Parker, will step down next year and be replaced by board member and former eBay CEO John Donahoe, who will be tasked with strengthening the sportswear maker's online strategy.

Nike Inc's long-time chief executive officer, Mark Parker, will step down next year and be replaced by board member and former eBay CEO John Donahoe, who will be tasked with strengthening the sportswear maker's online strategy. Donahoe, who has been on Nike's board since 2014, will join the sneaker maker from cloud computing firm ServiceNow Inc, where he was CEO for more than four years. Prior to that, he led online retailer eBay for the seven years through 2015. Nike's Parker had said last year he would remain CEO and chairman of the footwear maker beyond 2020, with his remarks coming in the midst of a series of executive departures and probes on workplace complaints. The move comes days after the world's biggest footwear maker shut down its Nike Oregon Project training group, following the recent four-year ban of the centre's founder and coach Alberto Salazar by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). Nike did not give any reason for Parker's exit from the top job. In an interview to CNBC, Parker said the change was unrelated to the Oregon Project or any other issues. Parker joined Nike as one of its first footwear designers in 1979 and held several roles during his tenure at the company before taking charge as its top boss in 2006. Credited with creating the popular Nike Air sneakers as well as other pioneering products, Parker, in the past few years, oversaw Nike's shift to selling directly to customers online and its success in international markets, particularly China. He will become Nike's executive chairman and continue to lead the board after Donahoe takes over as CEO. "We like that (Donahoe) comes from technology and that he comes from the digital space and we like that he is a strategist and a leader ... things that have made Nike positive have been because of those sort of strengths," Jane Hali & Associates analyst Jessica Ramirez said. Nike's digital revenue surged 35% in the last fiscal year, with the company expecting online sales to account for about a third of its business by 2023. Edward Jones analyst Brian Yarbrough said Donahoe's e-commerce experience could help with Nike's online push, while Parker could focus more on product development, one of his key strengths. Hits and misses During Parker's tenure, Nike's stock surged more than nine-folds. They were marginally higher in extended trading on Tuesday. Over the past year, however, Parker faced a number of speedbumps as he chased his target of $50 billion in annual sales. He apologised to staff last year after a series of workplace complaints at the company. Nike also came under fire for featuring an ad with former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who sparked a national controversy by kneeling during the national anthem. "Nike has had their fair share of scandals and issues ... and they didn't really go out and look externally. It definitely seems like it could be part of" the Oregon scandal, Yarbrough said, referring to Parker's departure. Separately, ServiceNow said it appointed Bill McDermott as its CEO. McDermott helmed software maker SAP from 2014 until recently. ServiceNow shares fell about 16% on the news. McDermott stood down earlier this month after a decade building up SAP as the world's leading enterprise software company, handing the task of completing its transition to cloud computing to new co-CEOs Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein. Earlier in the day, Nike rival Under Armour Inc said its founder and CEO Kevin Plank would step down, giving his responsibilities to Patrik Frisk, a company insider, hoping a change in leadership will help battle brutal competition from Nike and Adidas in the United States.

Nike's Parker hands over CEO role to former eBay chief

Nike said on Friday it plans to shut down its Oregon Project training group after top athletics coach Alberto Salazar was banned for four years for doping.

Salazar, best known for coaching Britain's four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, was last week handed a four-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a catalogue of drug violations.

The US sportswear giant had initially backed Salazar's plans to appeal against the decision after the 61-year-old Cuban-born American denied the allegations.

But in a memo to staff, Nike CEO Mark Parker said the project was being terminated because of the scandal.

"This situation, along with ongoing unsubstantiated assertions, is a distraction for many of the athletes and is compromising their ability to focus on their training and competition needs," Parker said.

"I have therefore made the decision to wind down the Oregon Project."

Parker said however that Nike would still support Salazar in his appeal.

"A four-year suspension for someone who acted in good faith is wrong," said Parker in the memo, adding that "the panel found there was no orchestrated doping, no finding that performance-enhancing drugs have ever been used on Oregon Project athletes and went out of its way to note Alberto’s desire to follow all rules".

However, he admitted that "Alberto can no longer coach while the appeal is pending".

Athletes from the Oregon Project won three gold medals at the World Athletics Championships this month. Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands won the women's 1500 metres and 10,000 while Donavan Brazier of the US took the men's 800m gold. There is no suggestion either athlete has been involved in doping.

Nike's decision to shut down the project came after athletes including US runner Kara Goucher, who was coached by Salazar from 2004 to 2011 and provided key evidence in the case against him, told the BBC Nike could not justify keeping it open.

"It (NOP) has to go," Goucher said.

"If I was Nike I'd be bringing in some new coaches and move on from this Oregon Project because clearly it had principles, not in line with clean sport and we have to just start over."

Jeffrey Brown, a Texas endocrinologist who treated many of Salazar's athletes at the Oregon training hub in Portland, was also suspended for four years.

Nike said on Friday it plans to shut down its Oregon Project training group after top athletics coach Alberto Salazar was banned for four years for doping. Salazar, best known for coaching Britain's four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, was last week handed a four-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a catalogue of drug violations.

Nike said on Friday it plans to shut down its Oregon Project training group after top athletics coach Alberto Salazar was banned for four years for doping. Salazar, best known for coaching Britain's four-time Olympic champion Mo Farah, was last week handed a four-year suspension by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) for a catalogue of drug violations. The US sportswear giant had initially backed Salazar's plans to appeal against the decision after the 61-year-old Cuban-born American denied the allegations. But in a memo to staff, Nike CEO Mark Parker said the project was being terminated because of the scandal. "This situation, along with ongoing unsubstantiated assertions, is a distraction for many of the athletes and is compromising their ability to focus on their training and competition needs," Parker said. "I have therefore made the decision to wind down the Oregon Project." Parker said however that Nike would still support Salazar in his appeal. "A four-year suspension for someone who acted in good faith is wrong," said Parker in the memo, adding that "the panel found there was no orchestrated doping, no finding that performance-enhancing drugs have ever been used on Oregon Project athletes and went out of its way to note Alberto’s desire to follow all rules". However, he admitted that "Alberto can no longer coach while the appeal is pending". Athletes from the Oregon Project won three gold medals at the World Athletics Championships this month. Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands won the women's 1500 metres and 10,000 while Donavan Brazier of the US took the men's 800m gold. There is no suggestion either athlete has been involved in doping. Nike's decision to shut down the project came after athletes including US runner Kara Goucher, who was coached by Salazar from 2004 to 2011 and provided key evidence in the case against him, told the BBC Nike could not justify keeping it open. "It (NOP) has to go," Goucher said. "If I was Nike I'd be bringing in some new coaches and move on from this Oregon Project because clearly it had principles, not in line with clean sport and we have to just start over." Jeffrey Brown, a Texas endocrinologist who treated many of Salazar's athletes at the Oregon training hub in Portland, was also suspended for four years.

Nike shuts down Oregon Project after coach Alberto Salazar banned

A pair of 1972 running shoes, one of the first pairs made by Nike Inc, sold for $437,500 on Tuesday, shattering the record for a pair of sneakers at public auction.

The so-called Nike "Moon Shoe," designed by Nike co-founder and track coach Bill Bowerman for runners at the 1972 Olympics trials, was the top lot in the first-ever auction dedicated to sneakers at Sotheby's auction house in New York.

Sotheby's said the price was a world auction record for a pair of sneakers. The buyer was Canadian investor and car collector Miles Nadal, who had previously paid $850,000 for 99 other pairs of rare or limited collection sneakers offered by Sotheby's.

The highest previous price fetched at public auction for sneakers was $190,373 in California in 2017 for a pair of signed Converse shoes said to have been worn by Michael Jordan in the 1984 Olympic basketball final, Sotheby's said.

Sotheby's, better known for selling artworks fetching tens of millions of dollars, teamed up with streetwear marketplace Stadium Goods to auction 100 pairs of the rarest sneakers ever produced in a venture that reflects their fast-growing status as collectables.

The handmade "Moon Shoe," with a waffle sole pattern, was one of only 12 pairs ever made and the pair that were auctioned on Tuesday are the only ones known to exist in an unworn condition, Sotheby's said.

Nadal, the founder of investment firm Peerage Capital, said in a statement he was thrilled at his purchase, calling the "Moon Shoe" a "true historical artefact in sports history and pop culture."

"I think sneaker culture and collecting is on the verge of a breakout moment," he added, saying he plans to display them, along with the other 99 pairs he acquired in a private sale last week, at his private automobile museum in Toronto.

Nadal's haul included 2011 and 2016 versions of the "Back to the Future Part II" limited-edition shoes by Nike that were inspired by the 1989 film starring Michael J. Fox, and limited-edition sneakers produced by Adidas, Air Jordan and rapper Kanye West's Yeezy collection.

Noah Wunsch, global head of eCommerce at Sotheby's, said the sneaker auction brought together art, culture and fashion.

"We are eager to see where this sale takes us, not only in future sneaker offerings but also in other new luxury lifestyle areas," Wunsch said.

A pair of 1972 running shoes, one of the first pairs made by Nike Inc, sold for $437,500 on Tuesday, shattering the record for a pair of sneakers at public auction.

A pair of 1972 running shoes, one of the first pairs made by Nike Inc, sold for $437,500 on Tuesday, shattering the record for a pair of sneakers at public auction. The so-called Nike "Moon Shoe," designed by Nike co-founder and track coach Bill Bowerman for runners at the 1972 Olympics trials, was the top lot in the first-ever auction dedicated to sneakers at Sotheby's auction house in New York. Sotheby's said the price was a world auction record for a pair of sneakers. The buyer was Canadian investor and car collector Miles Nadal, who had previously paid $850,000 for 99 other pairs of rare or limited collection sneakers offered by Sotheby's. The highest previous price fetched at public auction for sneakers was $190,373 in California in 2017 for a pair of signed Converse shoes said to have been worn by Michael Jordan in the 1984 Olympic basketball final, Sotheby's said. Sotheby's, better known for selling artworks fetching tens of millions of dollars, teamed up with streetwear marketplace Stadium Goods to auction 100 pairs of the rarest sneakers ever produced in a venture that reflects their fast-growing status as collectables. The handmade "Moon Shoe," with a waffle sole pattern, was one of only 12 pairs ever made and the pair that were auctioned on Tuesday are the only ones known to exist in an unworn condition, Sotheby's said. Nadal, the founder of investment firm Peerage Capital, said in a statement he was thrilled at his purchase, calling the "Moon Shoe" a "true historical artefact in sports history and pop culture." "I think sneaker culture and collecting is on the verge of a breakout moment," he added, saying he plans to display them, along with the other 99 pairs he acquired in a private sale last week, at his private automobile museum in Toronto. Nadal's haul included 2011 and 2016 versions of the "Back to the Future Part II" limited-edition shoes by Nike that were inspired by the 1989 film starring Michael J. Fox, and limited-edition sneakers produced by Adidas, Air Jordan and rapper Kanye West's Yeezy collection. Noah Wunsch, global head of eCommerce at Sotheby's, said the sneaker auction brought together art, culture and fashion. "We are eager to see where this sale takes us, not only in future sneaker offerings but also in other new luxury lifestyle areas," Wunsch said.

Nike shoes race to $437,500 world record auction price for sneakers

The medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were unveiled on Wednesday with exactly one year to go until next year's Games.

The unveiling of the medals, designed by Junichi Kawanishi, was the main attraction of an extravagant ceremony in the Japanese capital to commemorate the landmark.

The event was attended by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

The medals, which are 85 millimetres in diameter, feature Greek goddess of victory Nike in their design along with the Olympic symbol and are made from recycled metals, collected from 6.21 million electronic devices donated across Japan.

Abe said he hoped next year's Games would have a similar impact as the 1964 Summer Games held in Tokyo.

"Sports brings the world together and it affords equal opportunities to all. That is what sports are about," said Abe. "Fifty-five years ago we learned that when we hosted it in Tokyo before.

"Next year we want to demonstrate that again and we want this to be an opportunity where we can do that."

Bach reiterated that Tokyo is the best-prepared city he has ever seen ahead of an Olympic Games.

"It will be a wonderful and unique moment for our gracious Japanese hosts. For you to show the world the best of Japan," added Bach.

Organisers believe they are on track to deliver a world-class sporting event next year and with 3.22 million tickets already sold and over 200,000 people applying to be volunteers, engagement in Japan is unprecedented.

The only reminder of the issues in the build-up to the Games on Wednesday was the presence of new Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Yasuhiro Yamashita on stage with Bach and Abe.

Yamashita took over at the JOC last month, following the resignation of Tsunekazu Takeda, who is being investigated for suspected corruption related to the Tokyo 2020 bid.

The medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were unveiled on Wednesday with exactly one year to go until next year's Games. The unveiling of the medals, designed by Junichi Kawanishi, was the main attraction of an extravagant ceremony in the Japanese capital to commemorate the landmark.

The medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics were unveiled on Wednesday with exactly one year to go until next year's Games. The unveiling of the medals, designed by Junichi Kawanishi, was the main attraction of an extravagant ceremony in the Japanese capital to commemorate the landmark. The event was attended by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The medals, which are 85 millimetres in diameter, feature Greek goddess of victory Nike in their design along with the Olympic symbol and are made from recycled metals, collected from 6.21 million electronic devices donated across Japan. Abe said he hoped next year's Games would have a similar impact as the 1964 Summer Games held in Tokyo. "Sports brings the world together and it affords equal opportunities to all. That is what sports are about," said Abe. "Fifty-five years ago we learned that when we hosted it in Tokyo before. "Next year we want to demonstrate that again and we want this to be an opportunity where we can do that." Bach reiterated that Tokyo is the best-prepared city he has ever seen ahead of an Olympic Games. "It will be a wonderful and unique moment for our gracious Japanese hosts. For you to show the world the best of Japan," added Bach. Organisers believe they are on track to deliver a world-class sporting event next year and with 3.22 million tickets already sold and over 200,000 people applying to be volunteers, engagement in Japan is unprecedented. The only reminder of the issues in the build-up to the Games on Wednesday was the presence of new Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) President Yasuhiro Yamashita on stage with Bach and Abe. Yamashita took over at the JOC last month, following the resignation of Tsunekazu Takeda, who is being investigated for suspected corruption related to the Tokyo 2020 bid.

Tokyo Olympics 2020 medals unveiled a year before Games

Nike said Tuesday it had withdrawn a shoe displaying an early version of the American flag, with US media reporting the decision came after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick warned the design was associated with slavery.

Nike had unveiled the Air Max 1 USA featuring an American Revolution-era design known as the Betsy Ross flag imprinted on its heel to coincide with the United States's July 4 Independence Day.

Nike "made the decision to halt distribution of the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July based on concerns that it could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation's patriotic holiday," the company said in a statement.

"We regularly make business decisions to withdraw initiatives, products and services," the company said.

But The Wall Street Journal reported the US sportswear giant pulled the shoe following objections from Kaepernick, a Nike endorser who led kneeling protests during the national anthems of NFL games in 2016 to protest racial inequality and social injustice.

Kaepernick's protests gained national attention and drew repeated criticism from President Donald Trump, who urged NFL owners to fire players who knelt during the anthem.

Kaepernick said the design featuring 13 white stars in a circle was offensive because it was associated with a period of slavery, which was legal in the US after independence from Britain.

White supremacist groups hostile to diversity have also recently appropriated the design, the newspaper said.

Nike shipped the shoes to retailers but then asked for them back, and has taken the design off its website, the Journal reported.

US Senator Ted Cruz said on Twitter that because of the decision to pull the shoes, his days as a Nike customer were over.

"Yep, I own lots of @Nike I've been a life-long customer, since I was kid. But they've now decided their shoes represent snide disdain for the American flag," the Republican politician tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
I love America. I stand for the anthem, respect the flag &amp; honor the men &amp; women who fought to defend our Nation. I respect Free Speech &amp; I’m exerting mine: until <a href="https://twitter.com/Nike?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Nike</a> ends its contempt for those values, I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE NIKE PRODUCTS. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WalkAwayFromNike?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WalkAwayFromNike</a> RT if you agree. <a href="https://t.co/IvXNTgvlHq">https://t.co/IvXNTgvlHq</a>
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) <a href="https://twitter.com/tedcruz/status/1146096648445145089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"Since they don't want my business anymore, I won't buy any more," he wrote.

The price of a few pairs available on an online shoe reseller rose to as much as $2,000 following the publication of the Journal's article, the newspaper said.

Kaepernick and former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid settled collusion lawsuits against the NFL earlier this year for a reported amount of less than $10 million over claims team owners had plotted to keep them from playing.

Nike said Tuesday it had withdrawn a shoe displaying an early version of the American flag, with US media reporting the decision came after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick warned the design was associated with slavery.

Nike said Tuesday it had withdrawn a shoe displaying an early version of the American flag, with US media reporting the decision came after former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick warned the design was associated with slavery. Nike had unveiled the Air Max 1 USA featuring an American Revolution-era design known as the Betsy Ross flag imprinted on its heel to coincide with the United States's July 4 Independence Day. Nike "made the decision to halt distribution of the Air Max 1 Quick Strike Fourth of July based on concerns that it could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation's patriotic holiday," the company said in a statement. "We regularly make business decisions to withdraw initiatives, products and services," the company said. But The Wall Street Journal reported the US sportswear giant pulled the shoe following objections from Kaepernick, a Nike endorser who led kneeling protests during the national anthems of NFL games in 2016 to protest racial inequality and social injustice. Kaepernick's protests gained national attention and drew repeated criticism from President Donald Trump, who urged NFL owners to fire players who knelt during the anthem. Kaepernick said the design featuring 13 white stars in a circle was offensive because it was associated with a period of slavery, which was legal in the US after independence from Britain. White supremacist groups hostile to diversity have also recently appropriated the design, the newspaper said. Nike shipped the shoes to retailers but then asked for them back, and has taken the design off its website, the Journal reported. US Senator Ted Cruz said on Twitter that because of the decision to pull the shoes, his days as a Nike customer were over. "Yep, I own lots of @Nike I've been a life-long customer, since I was kid. But they've now decided their shoes represent snide disdain for the American flag," the Republican politician tweeted. I love America. I stand for the anthem, respect the flag & honor the men & women who fought to defend our Nation. I respect Free Speech & I’m exerting mine: until @Nike ends its contempt for those values, I WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE NIKE PRODUCTS. #WalkAwayFromNike RT if you agree. https://t.co/IvXNTgvlHq — Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) July 2, 2019 × "Since they don't want my business anymore, I won't buy any more," he wrote. The price of a few pairs available on an online shoe reseller rose to as much as $2,000 following the publication of the Journal's article, the newspaper said. Kaepernick and former San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid settled collusion lawsuits against the NFL earlier this year for a reported amount of less than $10 million over claims team owners had plotted to keep them from playing.

Nike pulls US sneaker featuring slavery-era Betsy Ross flag after Kaepernick's warning

Nike Inc is "very concerned" about a rape accusation against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brazils-neymar-records-statement-at-rio-police-station-over-rape-accusation-225168">Brazilian soccer star </a>Neymar, the world's largest sportswear maker said on Thursday, raising questions about its sponsorship of one of the sport's most famous players.

Nike issued a statement a day after a woman said in an interview with Brazilian SBT TV that Neymar had raped her in a Paris hotel last month. Neymar denied the allegation in an Instagram post and has said the woman was trying to extort him.

"We are very concerned by the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/brazils-neymar-out-of-copa-america-after-tearing-ankle-ligament-224880">recent allegations</a> and will continue to closely monitor the situation," Nike said when asked about the accusation against Neymar, who plays his club soccer with French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

A press representative for Neymar declined to comment on his sponsorships.

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Neymar's lawyer Maira Fernandes, speaking to journalists in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, did not address his sponsorship deals. She said her client was innocent of the allegation made against him.

A press representative for Mastercard in Brazil confirmed that the company had planned an advertising campaign to coincide with this month's Copa America tournament but she did not confirm reports in Brazil's three biggest newspapers that Mastercard had decided to suspend Neymar's featuring in it.

US press representatives for Mastercard did not reply to requests for comment.

Brazilian airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, which featured Neymar in the run-up to the 2018 World Cup, said it was a sponsor of the national team but not individual players. A press representative declined to comment on the accusation against Neymar.

McDonald's Corp and Procter &amp; Gamble Co's Gillette brand, which both featured Neymar prominently in ad campaigns last year, said they had no current contract with him.

Police report

A police report showed that a woman had accused Neymar, 27, of raping her at a Paris hotel last month. Sao Paulo police are investigating the accusation. According to the police report, she told investigators that she met Neymar on Instagram. Neymar suggested they meet in person in Paris and he paid for her flight and her hotel room, the report said.

After media reports on the allegation, Neymar posted a video on Instagram, in which he denied the accusations, said he was a victim of extortion and shared messages he exchanged with the woman, including racy photos he had received.

That led police in Rio de Janeiro to open an investigation into whether Neymar had committed a crime by posting those intimate pictures online.

Neymar's lawyer Fernandes said that Neymar had already spoken with police investigating the cybercrime, but had not yet arranged a time to go to Sao Paulo to speak with police about the rape accusation, but was committed to doing so.

On Wednesday night the woman, Najila de Souza, gave her first on-camera interview since her accusation became public.

"I was a victim of rape," de Souza told SBT TV.

Some of Neymar's teammates have come out in support of him, but national team coach Tite told journalists on Monday that he did not want to pass judgment on the matter.

The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Thursday that Neymar would be dropped from the Brazil team for the Copa America because of an ankle injury suffered in a friendly match against Qatar.

Nike Inc is "very concerned" about a rape accusation against Brazilian soccer star Neymar, the world's largest sportswear maker said on Thursday, raising questions about its sponsorship of one of the sport's most famous players.

Nike Inc is "very concerned" about a rape accusation against Brazilian soccer star Neymar, the world's largest sportswear maker said on Thursday, raising questions about its sponsorship of one of the sport's most famous players. Nike issued a statement a day after a woman said in an interview with Brazilian SBT TV that Neymar had raped her in a Paris hotel last month. Neymar denied the allegation in an Instagram post and has said the woman was trying to extort him. "We are very concerned by the recent allegations and will continue to closely monitor the situation," Nike said when asked about the accusation against Neymar, who plays his club soccer with French champions Paris Saint-Germain. A press representative for Neymar declined to comment on his sponsorships. × Neymar's lawyer Maira Fernandes, speaking to journalists in Rio de Janeiro on Thursday, did not address his sponsorship deals. She said her client was innocent of the allegation made against him. A press representative for Mastercard in Brazil confirmed that the company had planned an advertising campaign to coincide with this month's Copa America tournament but she did not confirm reports in Brazil's three biggest newspapers that Mastercard had decided to suspend Neymar's featuring in it. US press representatives for Mastercard did not reply to requests for comment. Brazilian airline Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA, which featured Neymar in the run-up to the 2018 World Cup, said it was a sponsor of the national team but not individual players. A press representative declined to comment on the accusation against Neymar. McDonald's Corp and Procter & Gamble Co's Gillette brand, which both featured Neymar prominently in ad campaigns last year, said they had no current contract with him. Police report A police report showed that a woman had accused Neymar, 27, of raping her at a Paris hotel last month. Sao Paulo police are investigating the accusation. According to the police report, she told investigators that she met Neymar on Instagram. Neymar suggested they meet in person in Paris and he paid for her flight and her hotel room, the report said. After media reports on the allegation, Neymar posted a video on Instagram, in which he denied the accusations, said he was a victim of extortion and shared messages he exchanged with the woman, including racy photos he had received. That led police in Rio de Janeiro to open an investigation into whether Neymar had committed a crime by posting those intimate pictures online. Neymar's lawyer Fernandes said that Neymar had already spoken with police investigating the cybercrime, but had not yet arranged a time to go to Sao Paulo to speak with police about the rape accusation, but was committed to doing so. On Wednesday night the woman, Najila de Souza, gave her first on-camera interview since her accusation became public. "I was a victim of rape," de Souza told SBT TV. Some of Neymar's teammates have come out in support of him, but national team coach Tite told journalists on Monday that he did not want to pass judgment on the matter. The Brazilian Football Confederation said on Thursday that Neymar would be dropped from the Brazil team for the Copa America because of an ankle injury suffered in a friendly match against Qatar.

Nike 'very concerned' about rape accusation against Brazilian football star Neymar

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