© Chicago Tribune Company All Rights Reserved.
It's Time To Flush The Swoosh
Mitch Albom, Detroit Free Press
April 4 2026 FridayA recent report revealed Nike's factories in Vietnam are treating women like slaves, paying them $1.60 a day in wages--not even enough to buy three meals of rice and vegetables. If they make a mistake, they are slapped. Ask Michael Jordan the last time he got slapped. Ask Phil Knight why none of the cute kids in his commercials is seen hunkered over a machine, stitching shoes. Oh, I forgot. It's not the right "image." But it is the truth. The company tries to paint itself as such an angel, while doing so much of the devil's business. Remember, folks, this is the same company that prices shoes up to $180 a pair, limits the quantity--to create frenzied demand--releases them on a school day, then can't understand why mothers complain that their kids are cutting school to buy them. This is the same company that targets inner-city youths who can't afford their shoes--then feigns disbelief when someone gets shot for a pair. I have purchased my last pair of Nike anything. I suggest you do the same.
Nike in the News