Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Air Force 1 Low Is Already Sold Out
The controversial former NFL quarterback’s “True to 7” limited edition Nikes sold out in North America ahead of its global launch
Nike is giving Colin Kaepernick a signature version of one of the athleticwear brand’s most popular sneakers of all time.
The ex-San Francisco 49ers quarterback’s custom Air Force 1 is “inspired by the voice of the athlete and his ‘True to 7’ storytelling,” Nike said in reference to Kaepernick’s former jersey number. The iconic silhouette gets a luxe black leather upper with a reflective graded Swoosh and various other black and white accents, as well as a patterned sock liner.
A portrait of Kaepernick is embroidered on the heel tab, and his personal “K” logo appears on the heel. Each pair comes with a “No. 7” hang tag.
Kaepernick, a Nike athlete, was previously featured as the star of a “Just Do It” campaign in 2018, which featured a black and white close-up of his face and words, “Believe in something. Even if it means sacrificing everything,” superimposed across the image.
Some people took issue the with ad because Kaepernick and other players had knelt during performances of the national anthem at NFL games as a symbolic protest of police brutality against African Americans.
Earlier this year, Nike pulled a new Air Max that sported a so-called “Betsy Ross” version of the American flag after Kaepernick deemed the design as offensive because of its connection to slavery.
Despite the controversy surrounding Kaepernick, some industry experts say that the launch of his signature shoe is a relatively safe move on Nike’s part.
“The Kaepernick detractors are likely not Nike customers, so I see little risk,” Matt Powell, vice president and senior industry advisor at NPD Group, told Yahoo Finance, adding that the limited release would likely sell out quickly.
He was right, as the Air Force 1 x Colin Kaepernick, which dropped on December 23 with a $110 price tag, is already listed as sold out on Nike’s website. Anyone interested in copping a pair will have the chance to do so at the sneaker’s unspecified global launch.