By Sara Germano
Under Armour Inc. plans to stop selling a basketball T-shirt
after the company's social media channels were flooded with
complaints it offended U.S. veterans and members of the armed
services.
At issue was the sports gear company's "Band of Ballers" gray
shirt, featuring a silhouette of several men raising a basketball
hoop. The image appeared to imitate the famous flag raising at the
Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.
Baltimore-based Under Armour said Saturday that the T-shirt "is
not reflective of our commitment to support & honor our
country's heroes."
A company spokeswoman didn't respond to questions regarding how
many of the items had been sold.
The incident comes less than a week after competitor Nike Inc.
faced criticism for insensitivity for a product promotion of its
own. The Beaverton, Ore., sportswear maker offered a 30% discount
on Nike and Converse products to members of law enforcement
Wednesday, drawing some complaints that the promotion was
insensitive given tensions over recent deaths of black men at the
hands of the police.
Nike said the promotion was a semiregular benefit for members of
law enforcement the company has offered since the 9/11 terrorist
attacks. The company said it had "no intention to offend anyone,
nor to imply that we are insensitive to the serious and important
issues between law enforcement and black communities in America,"
according to the Oregonian.
Write to Sara Germano at sara.germano@wsj.com
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