Nike launches Colin Kaepernick ad on 30th anniversary of ‘Just Do It,’ start of NFL season

Fooch’s update: The first video advertisement dropped on Wednesday. We’ll see if Nike buys anything for any NFL opening week telecasts.

Fooch’s update: There are more details on Kaepernick’s Nike deal, courtesy of the AP:

The source says Nike will feature Kaepernick on several platforms, including billboards, television commercials and online ads. Nike also will create an apparel line for Kaepernick and contribute to his Know Your Rights charity. The deal puts Kaepernick in the top bracket of NFL players with Nike.

The 2018 NFL regular season gets started in three days, and Nike has decided to just cannon-ball right into things. The team released a new advertisement for the 30th anniversary of their “Just Do It” campaign, and former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick is featured with the line, “Believe In something. Even if it means sacrificing everything.”

ESPN’s Darren Rovell is reporting that Nike has not stopped paying Kaepernick since he last paid, and was “waiting for the right moment” to launch something with him. Now that we can say with near certainty Kaepernick will never play in the NFL again, the timing certainly makes sense.

I can’t imagine the NFL will be pleased with this. Nike is the official uniform provider for the league, and this is very much a thumb in the eye for the league. Kaepernick’s collusion grievance is moving to the hearing stage, and plenty will come out during testimony. It might not be entirely damaging, but the league likely would prefer the whole thing go away. Now, one of their most notable sponsors is dropping this ad. I’m sure the NFL’s Park Avenue office is having quite a Labor Day weekend.