Activist athletics wear brand mocks Nike for billboard blunder, other past controversies

Core Viewpoint - Nike is under scrutiny due to recent controversies, including a removed billboard and alleged funding of a child transgender athletes study, prompting a competitor, XX-XY Athletics, to launch a provocative advertising campaign against it [1][2]. Group 1: Recent Controversies - Nike's London billboard was removed after comparisons to the Holocaust, leading to public backlash [1]. - Allegations surfaced regarding Nike's funding of a study on child transgender athletes, further fueling criticism [1][2]. - The company faced past controversies, including a $20 million lawsuit from former runner Mary Cain for emotional abuse [3]. Group 2: Competitor Response - XX-XY Athletics released an advertisement titled "Buy Nike? Maybe just don't do it," targeting Nike's recent controversies [1][2]. - The brand has previously launched viral campaigns, including "Dear Nike," which criticized the company for its stance on trans inclusion in women's sports [4]. - Following Nike's Super Bowl commercial featuring trans athletes, XX-XY Athletics responded with its own ad, parodying Nike's approach [5]. Group 3: Nike's Response - Nike issued a statement apologizing for the harm caused by the billboard, emphasizing that it did not intend any offense and condemning antisemitism [6].