Williamson injury also hurts Nike
Company’s stock dips after shoe tears apart, Duke star limps off
Soon after Zion Williamson’s shoe ripped apart, Nike’s stock price took a hit.
The freak injury during one of the college basketball season’s marquee games immediately sparked debates about everything from the shoe manufacturer to insurance issues and whether the likely NBA lottery pick should risk his professional future by continuing to play for the topranked-for-now Blue Devils.
Williamson is day to day with a mild right knee sprain and is progressing as expected, team spokesman Mike Degeorge said Thursday night.
By Thursday morning, Nike, which manufactured the shoes Williamson was wearing, also was feeling the impact of the injury.
The company’s stock closed down 89 cents at $83.95 on Thursday as the sportswear manufacturer became the target of ridicule on social media. A spokesman said Nike has begun an investigation into what it called an “isolated” event.
“Shoes have failed before, but not as visibly,” said Matt Powell, a senior industry adviser for sports for the NPD Group, a market research firm.
Playing before a crowd littered with celebrities , Williamson was hurt in the opening minute of the game as his Nike PG 2.5, from Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George’s signature sneaker line, tore apart. Williamson wears that model frequently during games and hadn’t had any obvious problems.
The 280-pound Williamson tried to plant with his left foot as his right foot was slipping. The blue rubber sole ripped loose from the white shoe and Williamson’s foot came all the way through the large gap. He ended up in an awkwardalmost-split, clutching the back of his right knee . He walked to the bench and a few minutes later headed to the locker room, leaving the wrecked shoe under his chair.
The injury also set off a fresh round of debate about whether Williamson — the possible No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, should he leave Duke after his freshman season — would be wise to end his college season in an attempt to avoid an injury that could jeopardize his pro career.