In anticipation for the upcoming Olympics, Nike rolled out a major campaign, highlighting some of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
Titled “Winning Isn’t For Everyone,” the campaign saw a string of NBA players that are currently representing their country in the upcoming games. The 90-second ad saw some of Nike’s most popular athletes, including Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Victor Wembanyama, Serena Williams, A’ja Wilson, and Kylian Mbappé. While big names were represented throughout the commercial, there was one noticeable exclusion. Phoenix Suns‘ Kevin Durant, who is a longtime Nike athlete, failed to be featured and it seems like the professional basketball player definitely felt left out.
Taking to Instagram to share his thoughts, Durant called out the Swoosh for not including him. KD is slated to compete in his fourth Olympics with Team USA and has been with Nike for 17 years. Writing to his Instagram Stories, he asked, “@nike tell me, Am I a bad person?????” The question was posted to a picture of himself wearing a Nike USA Basketball t-shirt. In the next couple of stories, he posted another photo of himself, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant with their Olympic gold medals in 2012 with the caption, “Been wit yall every step of the way @nike.” In the next post, he wrote, “Even during the quarantine Olympics @nike,” under another photo of himself with Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green, and Harrison Barnes in 2016. If Team USA wins gold this year, KD would become the all-time Olympic basketball leader with four gold medals tacking onto his 2012, 2016 and 2021 win. Nike has not commented on why they excluded KD and if it was purposeful or not.
Did something happen w KD and Nike why he post these 🤔 pic.twitter.com/LVedOXaF5W
— 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘯𝘢☆ (@Stunna999_) July 19, 2024
