Nike cancels Karim Benzema London photo shoot over commercial values
- Nike cancelled a scheduled photo shoot in London for an advertising campaign featuring former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema after concluding that his past conflicts with the brand's...
- The athletic sportswear giant examined the 38-year-old French forward's history before pulling the plug on the promotional session.
- "This project does not reflect a broader relationship between the player and Nike," the company said in a statement provided to The Athletic.
Nike cancelled a scheduled photo shoot in London for an advertising campaign featuring former Real Madrid star Karim Benzema after concluding that his past conflicts with the brand’s commercial values, according to a report by The Athletic citing knowledgeable sources.
Nike Pulls Plug on London Shoot
The athletic sportswear giant examined the 38-year-old French forward’s history before pulling the plug on the promotional session. Sources told the publication that company executives decided his background did not align with corporate standards, though officials declined to provide specific details regarding which aspects of the player’s past influenced the decision.
Corporate Regret and Official Statements
“This project does not reflect a broader relationship between the player and Nike,” the company said in a statement provided to The Athletic.
“We regret that the negotiations reached this stage.”
Blackmail Conviction Casts Long Shadow
Benzema was previously convicted of complicity in an attempted blackmail plot during a sex tape scandal involving former French national team teammate Mathieu Valbuena in 2015. The Versailles court handed down a one-year suspended prison sentence and a 75,000-euro fine in 2021, an episode that cast a long shadow over his international career and kept him out of the French squad for five years.
Shifting Commercial Partnerships
Benzema began his career wearing Nike boots during his breakthrough with French club Lyon before switching to rival manufacturer Adidas in 2007. He spent the remainder of his peak career with the German brand, which even released a signature gold boot when he won the Ballon d’Or award in 2022.
Free Agent Status and Unclear Future
An Adidas source confirmed that Benzema’s contract with that company has now expired, leaving the veteran striker to weigh different options. Benzema has been a free agent since parting ways with Saudi club Al Hilal during the summer transfer window. He has not announced plans to retire from professional football, though his timeline for continuing his playing career remains uncertain.