California Gov. Gavin Newsom invited Nike to his state after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered his administration to pull any financial incentives from the company.
“Hey, @Nike — we’re just a quick jaunt over the border… Thank you for doing the right thing. CA is open for business and welcomes those that represent the best of our American values,” Newsom said Tuesday on Twitter.
Hey, @Nike — we’re just a quick jaunt over the border…
Thank you for doing the right thing. CA is open for business and welcomes those that represent the best of our American values. pic.twitter.com/dLN7EuYBFS
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 3, 2019
Nike decided to pull shoes featuring a Betsy Ross American flag design because former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick said it was an offensive symbol.
The company’s decision was criticized for being anti-American just days before the Fourth of July. Ducey said he would be pulling any financial incentives the state’s administration gives to the company.
“Words cannot express my disappointment at this terrible decision. I am embarrassed for Nike. Nike is an iconic American brand and American company. This country, our system of government and free enterprise have allowed them to prosper and flourish,” Ducey said Tuesday. “Instead of celebrating American history the week of our nation’s independence, Nike has apparently decided that Betsy Ross is unworthy, and has bowed to the current onslaught of political correctness and historical revisionism. It is a shameful retreat for the company. American businesses should be proud of our country’s history, not abandoning it.”
“Nike has made its decision, and now we’re making ours. I’ve ordered the Arizona Commerce Authority to withdraw all financial incentive dollars under their discretion that the State was providing for the company to locate here. Arizona’s economy is doing just fine without Nike. We don’t need to suck up to companies that consciously denigrate our nation’s history,” the Arizona Republican continued.
[Related: 500 Arizona jobs at stake in furor over Nike snub of Betsy Ross flag]
Nike is an iconic American brand and American company. This country, our system of government and free enterprise have allowed them to prosper and flourish. 4/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
It is a shameful retreat for the company. American businesses should be proud of our country’s history, not abandoning it. 6/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
Arizona’s economy is doing just fine without Nike. We don’t need to suck up to companies that consciously denigrate our nation’s history. 8/
— Doug Ducey (@dougducey) July 2, 2019
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham responded to Ducey’s tweets implying that Nike would be invited to New Mexico.
“Hey @Nike, let’s talk,” the New Mexico Democrat said.
Hey @Nike, let’s talk. https://t.co/ULqupXdVSj
— Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) July 2, 2019
While the two Democratic governor’s tried cosying up to the company, Democratic lawmakers nationwide tried to avoid the controversy, and at least one even spoke out against the controversial decision.
“I’m sitting here working. Notice I’m not wearing Nikes, nor will I anytime soon,” Rep. Dan Lipinski, an Illinois Democrat, said.
I’m sitting here working. Notice I’m not wearing Nikes, nor will I anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/MFZBau1DQV
— Dan Lipinski (@DanLipinski) July 2, 2019
I’m sitting here working. Notice I’m not wearing Nikes, nor will I anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/MFZBau1DQV
— Dan Lipinski (@DanLipinski) July 2, 2019
