Nike Cancels Karim Benzema Campaign Shoot Over Controversial Past - Adidas Deal Expired
39 minutes ago, by Phan Tich Giay
- Nike Cancels Benzema Campaign: Nike made a late decision to cancel a planned advertising campaign featuring former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in London after an internal review of his controversial past.
- Conflict with Company Values: Senior decision-makers at Nike determined that Benzema's 2021 conviction for complicity in a 2015 blackmail attempt did not align with the company's core values, leading to the project's halt.
- Benzema's Sponsorship Status: This canceled project would have been Benzema's first formal work with Nike in nearly two decades, and he currently remains without an official boot deal as his long-standing Adidas contract has expired.
Nike have made the late decision to pull the plug on a planned advertising campaign featuring former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in London, following an internal review of the player's controversial past, according to The Athletic.
Nike Cancels Karim Benzema Campaign Shoot Over Controversial Past
The 38-year-old French forward, who recently became a free agent following his departure from Saudi side Al Hilal, was scheduled to travel to the UK capital to film content tied to an upcoming collaboration between Nike and streetwear brand Corteiz for the Shox R419 sneaker line. However, Benzema’s camp was informed on the eve of the shoot that the project would not be going ahead.
Values Review Halts Nike Project
According to reports from The Athletic, senior decision-makers at Nike concluded that the player’s publicly documented legal background did not align with the company's core values. The primary issue stems from Benzema's 2021 conviction in France for complicity in the 2015 Mathieu Valbuena blackmail attempt, which resulted in a one-year suspended prison sentence and a €75,000 fine, despite the striker maintaining his innocence.
Nike confirmed the cancellation in a statement, acknowledging that talks had progressed too far before the brand intervened: "This project does not reflect a wider relationship between the athlete and Nike. We regret that conversations got this far."
Benzema was reportedly set to receive €75,000 in Nike product allowance along with covered travel expenses, with preliminary discussions even exploring a potential ambassadorial role.
The collapsed project puts a swift end to what would have been Benzema's first formal work with the Swoosh in nearly two decades. The 2022 Ballon d'Or winner wore Nike boots early in his career at Lyon before switching to Adidas in 2007.
With his long-standing Adidas contract now expired, Benzema remains without an official boot deal as he weighs up his future.
What do you think about Nike canceling its photo campaign with Benzema at the last minute? Comment below.
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