There is a 'Boycott Nike' Web site, dedicated to consumer criticism. Earlier this year, Nike attracted further criticism for allegedly attempting to influence the transfer of Romario, the Brazilian football star, from Barcelona to Inter Milan. The company has strenuously denied that it was involved in the negotiations, saying that the fans would have resented it for doing so. But the rumour and the impression of Nike as 'control freak' persists. Evidence, perhaps, that the company is starting to believe in its own mythology and is becoming too arrogant.
Some observers certainly think so.
It is becoming too arrogant. With Nike, it's got to the point where you don't want to see another 'swoosh'. A Nike spokesman says such criticism is par for the course when you are the biggest company in the sector. We employ 500,000 people across 31 different countries. Occasionally, you are going to get something wrong.