It has yet to be demonstrated, as you with the face suggested, that this outcome wasn’t Nike’s strategy all along, as in the following scenario:
-
Get Kaepernick’s unenthusiastic take on the “Betsy Ross flag” sneakers, but don’t talk about it.
-
Commence manufacturing and distributing “Betsy Ross flag” sneakers.
-
Ostentatiously announce that they’re discontinuing this particular version of the sneaker design because the symbol has some unpleasant associations that could harsh the patriotism buzz by unintentionally (!) offending people.
-
Watch the controversy blow up as furious self-proclaimed “anti-PC” types lose their shit at Nike for “denigrating our country’s history” and similar melodramatically exaggerated takes on Nike’s position, thus reinforcing the impression that Nike’s getting trashed for taking a principled anti-racism stand and providing huge amounts of free publicity that boosts their image with their customer base.
-
Profit!
-
Bonus free publicity from resellers getting up to thousands of dollars for now-rare pairs of “Betsy Ross flag” sneakers.
“Wimped out” like a fox. 