Sorry Nike

One of the great aspects of our free market system is that businesses are free to express themselves in their advertising campaigns.  Some of the greatest ads still resonate with those of us old enough to remember.  Do you recall "Where's the beef?"  More contemporaneously, some Budweiser commercials in past Super Bowls were pretty good as well.  The key point is that the businesses are free from government control in their advertising, per the First Amendment.  Consumer reaction, however, is something else altogether.

Sure, Nike is free to put out a new advertising campaign and say damn near anything.  But consumers are equally free to react to their campaign.  

Sorry Nike, you are not even close with Kaepernick and, "Believe in something.  Even if it means sacrificing everything."

Going without exorbitant pay and notoriety may meet the definition of "sacrificing everything" for some, but it falls sort in my view.  Losing a Marine's life in combat, an attempted rescue of a drowning stranger, a fireman's life rushing into a burning building to save children, or a police officer standing up to an armed robber is a better definition of "sacrificing everything."

Sure, Kaepernick is not legally prohibited from taking a knee during the playing of the National Anthem, an expression of free speech the government can not prohibit.  But he so at his own risk for other negative consequences.  No business MUST hire a specific individual, for example.

Standing (pardon the pun) for one's beliefs is crucially important in our nation, even when doing so brings criticism, private and public.  For that, Kaepernick deserves credit.  But such credit is now severely cheapened by what is surely a very large paycheck from Nike.  Seems like a man's principle can be bought.

I disagree with Kaepernick's actions, though supporting his freedom to do so.  And actions have consequences, as he is learning.  Some of those actions involve some businesses deciding they do not want to hire Mr. Kaepernick, which is their decision to make.  I also support Nike's action in creating an advertising campaign of their choosing.  And this action has consequences as well.

Listen to and watch consumers react.