Market leaders in the global sports apparel industry, Nike and Adidas have publicly slammed U.S. President Donald Trump’s banning of immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States.
In a letter written by Nike president and CEO Mark Parker, the chairman called upon the core values of the brand as ammo and reassurance against the act.
“Nike believes in a world where everyone celebrates the power of diversity. Regardless of whether or how you worship, where you come from or who you love, everyone’s individual experience is what makes us stronger as a whole,”
Parker also referenced a statement made by Olympic distance runner Mo Farah, who was born in Somalia, moved to Britain as a child, and currently calls Portland home with his wife and children.
“Today, I am thinking of everyone who is impacted, like Sir Mo Farah,” said Parker. “What Mo will always have, what the entire Nike family can always count on, is the support of this company.”
Read Statement below:
adidas is another company who spoke out against this ban, saying that they are proud to bring this positive power of sport to life every day at work and they cherish the diverse, international workforce around the globe.
adidas spokesperson Lauren Lamkin sent a company-wide email to all employees against his decision signed by Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted and director of global brands Eric Liedtke.
Read Statement below:
“Our company is built on the core belief that ‘Through sport, we have the power to change lives.’ Sport has shown in the past and will show over and over again in the future that it can bring people together from all over the world—regardless of their nationality, gender, age, religion or sexual orientation,’ said Adidas pres reps Lauren Lamkin on Monday.
The statement continues. “We at Adidas are proud to bring this positive power of sport to life every day at work and we cherish the diverse, international workforce we have around the globe. Some companies have already voiced their concerns about this decision and we join them in their call for an open and diverse society and culture in the U.S. and around the globe. It goes without saying that our commitment to the U.S. market and our people in America remains unchanged despite this current political climate.”
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