although nike's co-founder and chairman phil
knight declared that scandals surrounding its superstar
endorsement athletes are "part of the game," its marketing
strstegy is not without risks. In some instances,
nike continued to sponsor its athletes involved in various
scandals, while in other it terminated its lucrative
endorsement contracts. nike continued to sponsor LA
lakers' kobe bryant who was cleared of alleged rape
charges. After tiger woods was engulfed in an infidelity
scandal,Nike continued to sponsor the golf superstar.
In 2007,nike ended its endorsement deal contract
with NFL quarterback michael vick after a public out-cry
ang his subsequent felony conviction of running
a dog-fighting ring and engaging in animal cruelty. In
2011,after serving a prison sentence and restarting his
career at the philadelphia Eagles, nike signed a new
endorsement deal with michael vick. In 2012,Nike terminated
its long-term relationship with disgraced cyclist
lance Armstrong. just brfore Armstrong's public admission
to doping in an interview