What's up with Michael Vick? Whatever It Is,His Stock Is Going Down!
This year, the baller doesn't even rank.
Even before the animal cruelty case surfaced, Vick’s cheddar platter had been diminishing.
His corporate standing has plummeted over what can only be described as trifling behavior: Vick's obscene gesture to Atlanta Falcons’ fans last November drew a $10,000 fine; his water bottle with the hidden compartment (containing a “dark particulate”) was confiscated in January by Miami airport security; too much information about his love life lagged "oozed" out when Vick settled a lawsuit with a woman who claimed he infected her with herpes.
Get the point?
NFL WON'T SUSPEND THE BROTHER -- YET!
Now, a federal indictment handed down Tuesday against Vick for felony dogfighting charges threatens to further deplete and perhaps decimate the flashy quarterback’s once-posh endorsement portfolio — sponsorships that currently pay him $7 million a year. According to sports marketers, Vick’s cachet as a celebrity pitchman for Nike and other companies is as wobbly as a Hail Mary pass.
The shoe behemoth has a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract with Vick.
So far, Nike is standing behind the player, issuing a terse statement: “We’re aware of the indictment and are reviewing the information."
But soon, Nike may be the only company willing to pay Vick to plug its products.
Not since NBA sharpshooter Kobe Bryant hemorrhaged endorsement dollars amid 2003 rape allegations has a high-profile athlete faced such a financial fiasco.
VICK IS "DEVASTATED," CALLS GOODELL TO APOLOGIZE FOR EMBARRASSING TEAM
“It just hasn’t been a great summer for him,” said David Carter, founder of the Sports Business Group.
Some are already arguing that Vick is being unfairly picked on and that mainstream media has already convicted the brother. We don't know if we can co-sign on that, but what say you?
Original story by Bill Briggs/ MSNBC
Dateline 2005: Forbes magazine lists Black NFL Superstar Michael Vick at No. 33 on its list of the 100 most-powerful celebrities, placing him ahead of Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Prince. Yeah, that's right... Prince!
This year, the baller doesn't even rank.
Even before the animal cruelty case surfaced, Vick’s cheddar platter had been diminishing.
His corporate standing has plummeted over what can only be described as trifling behavior: Vick's obscene gesture to Atlanta Falcons’ fans last November drew a $10,000 fine; his water bottle with the hidden compartment (containing a “dark particulate”) was confiscated in January by Miami airport security; too much information about his love life lagged "oozed" out when Vick settled a lawsuit with a woman who claimed he infected her with herpes.
Get the point?
NFL WON'T SUSPEND THE BROTHER -- YET!
Now, a federal indictment handed down Tuesday against Vick for felony dogfighting charges threatens to further deplete and perhaps decimate the flashy quarterback’s once-posh endorsement portfolio — sponsorships that currently pay him $7 million a year. According to sports marketers, Vick’s cachet as a celebrity pitchman for Nike and other companies is as wobbly as a Hail Mary pass.
The shoe behemoth has a multi-year, multi-million-dollar contract with Vick. So far, Nike is standing behind the player, issuing a terse statement: “We’re aware of the indictment and are reviewing the information."
But soon, Nike may be the only company willing to pay Vick to plug its products.
AirTran Airways cut ties with Vick back in May. Coca-Cola (via its sports drink PowerAde) and Kraft Foods also have allowed endorsement deals with Vick to lapse. Hasbro also has not had any business dealings with Vick since its relationship with the player expired two years ago.
And while other players begin training camp later this month, Vick will be in a federal courtroom on July 26 entering a plea on a case that could land him in prison for six years.
And while other players begin training camp later this month, Vick will be in a federal courtroom on July 26 entering a plea on a case that could land him in prison for six years.
Not since NBA sharpshooter Kobe Bryant hemorrhaged endorsement dollars amid 2003 rape allegations has a high-profile athlete faced such a financial fiasco.
VICK IS "DEVASTATED," CALLS GOODELL TO APOLOGIZE FOR EMBARRASSING TEAM
“It just hasn’t been a great summer for him,” said David Carter, founder of the Sports Business Group.
“It’s worse than Kobe Bryant, because five years ago we still expected something from our athletes, some semblance of professionalism. Now we expect so little,” Carter said. “It’s not a one-time mess with Mike Vick. If I’m a corporation, I say, ‘Why put up with this?"
Some are already arguing that Vick is being unfairly picked on and that mainstream media has already convicted the brother. We don't know if we can co-sign on that, but what say you?
Is Michael getting everything he deserves, or is Vick a victim?
Original story by Bill Briggs/ MSNBC