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Subject: Press release - The HSUS Calls on Nike to Drop Michael Vick Based on Dogfighting Evidence



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



The Humane Society of the United States Calls on Nike to Drop Michael Vick Based on Dogfighting Evidence

June 19, 2007 – The Humane Society of the United States is calling on Nike, Inc. to terminate its commercial association with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick. In a letter sent yesterday to the company’s Beaverton, Ore. headquarters, Wayne Pacelle, HSUS president and CEO called on Mark Parker, Nike president and CEO, to drop the NFL star as a corporate spokesperson as soon as is contractually feasible because of Vick’s possible association with an alleged dogfighting operation on property he owned in Virginia. Nike is the world’s largest supplier of sportswear.

In the letter, Pacelle writes that The HSUS “…knows that Nike has high standards for its spokespersons, and urges Nike to terminate its relationship with Vick as soon as is feasible…we trust Nike does not want to be associated with any celebrity who is linked to this odious form of animal cruelty.”

Dogfighting is an epidemic in the nation, and The HSUS does not want to see young people drawn into this criminal activity because prominent athletes and other celebrities glorify or romanticize the practice. Even though dogfighting is a felony in 48 states, and also a federal felony, the practice occurs in every state and has been surging in urban communities in the last decade.

Since the story first broke back on April 26th, evidence has been revealed in the media describing typical signs of dogfighting allegedly taking place at Vick’s former property in Surry County, Va.

Air Tran Airways decided not to renew its contract with Mr. Vick earlier this month, and did so without any specific prompting from The HSUS.

The HSUS has called on NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to take swift action against Vick if any criminal charges are filed against him, in keeping with the new disciplinary policy the league instituted.

To see a copy of the letter, please click here.

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Media Contact: Martin Montorfano (301) 258-3152, mmontorfano@hsus.org



The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization – backed by 10 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty -- On the web at www.humanesociety.org



The Humane Society of the United States

2100 L Street, N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20037

humanesociety.org

Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelty