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,