NIke making crock-leather-shoes

LONDON, March 12 (UPI) -- Animal rights advocates in Britain have criticized Nike for creating a special edition training shoe out of crocodile skin. The shoes, which feature 18-carat gold lace tags and retail for about $2,700, were created for the 25th anniversary of Nike's Air Force 1 range, Sky News reported Monday.

The non-animal safe nature of the shoes has drawn the attention of animal rights groups.

But before we attack Nike. Anyone who dares say anything must first get rid of all leather jackets and leather car interior. Come on guys, lets' be real. Nike is using a bit of animal skin, but so are most of you. I'm not one to buy the boots, but come on, I don't believe for one second, that the people protesting this ad actually will stop using (sitting or keeping warm) with leather.

That said, here is something to think about: Animal rights group Peta said alligators and crocodiles used to create consumer products are sometimes beaten to death inhumanely with hammers and axes and sometimes remain alive and in pain for nearly two hours after they are skinned.

That is wrong. So Nike, if this is how you role, change it up. I support your shoes, but please no crock-bashing.

Nike Ceases Orders for Soccer Balls from Pakistan

Monday November 20, 2006 1:36pm

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Beaverton, Ore. (AP) - Nike Inc. is ending orders from a Pakistan-based supplier of hand-stitched soccer balls, Saga Sports, because of "significant" labor violations.

The decision to end its relationship with Saga followed a six-month investigation.

"This contract factory has persistently broken its commitments and irrevocably breached its trust with us; most importantly, the factory has failed its employees," said Nike CEO and president Mark Parker.

Nike, the world's largest maker of athletic apparel, said Saga Sports was having soccer balls made inside private homes in Sialkot, Pakistan, where Saga is based.

"Nike has a long-standing policy against such practices because of the potential for using under-aged workers and the inability to ensure safe working conditions in home-based settings," the company said.

Nike said its investigation also uncovered "serious allegations by trade union representatives and other Saga employees of worker harassment, wrongful termination and inaccurate payment of wages."

It said the Fair Labor Association, in an unannounced audit of Saga unrelated to Nike's investigation, found similar violations.

According to Nike, it held repeated meetings with Saga executives to correct the problems but "Saga did not make needed changes."

The company said it is working with "governmental, non-governmental and industry stakeholders" to help protect the rights of Saga workers.

Nike & Eminem

Eminem is to design a range of trainers for Nike. The 'Lose Yourself' rapper's footwear will then be auctioned off for charity in September. He said in statement: 'We're always looking for new ways to try to raise money and awareness for the foundation, so when Nike approached us we jumped at the chance. 'Who wouldn't want to design their own line of Nikes? And to do it for charity makes it that much better.'

Just a thought... can Nike give a postal carrier a dea? Think of it, postal carriers walking mile after mile every day, but only being able to do it because of ... NIKE! "WE DELIVER!"

Jennifer Aniston & Nike

I'm not sure how Jennifer Aniston = sports, nevertheless, Jennifer is on the verge of signing a deal with Nike, according to reports. The amount of money being offered to the former 'Friends' star by the sportswear giant is rumored to be the most the company has ever paid for a celebrity endorsement. In the ad campaign, perhaps Jennifer will be running away from Brad. We can call it the "I want you back" campaign. But Brad, who isn't wearing Nikes, can't catch up to Jennifer. On a serious note... Jennifer is apparently keen to make sure the campaign 'brings focus to cancer research' with donations given to her favorite cancer charities