“I have read articles speculating on why Nike chose not to sign him, but we do know that before he signed with Under Armour, he made clear that he wanted to put Phil 4:13 on the tongue of the sneaker with the underside reading, ‘I can do all things.'”
Brown expressed caution, however, noting that sites “have claimed that this was another factor in Nike’s decision not to match Under Armour’s offer, but I have not been able to verify that.”
“If you can find any verifiable information about this, please post it in the comments section,” Brown added, saying he would not be surprised if it were true.
However, the online fact-checking site Snopes noted that there was a strong absence of evidence regarding the claim that Curry and Nike did not make a deal because of religious expression.
Currys shoes with Phil 4:13 that Nike might not have agreed to.
“Neither Curry nor Nike said that the deal fell through because of his religious beliefs, nor did Curry claim that Nike would not let him put Bible verses on his shoes,” noted Snopes.
“We could find no articles that stated religion was a motivating factor for Curry’s deal with either Nike or Under Armour, and these rumors appear to have sprung wholly from one person’s Facebook page.”
The page in question, according to Snopes, was that of Ronnie Magtibay who posted the claim to Facebook on Feb. 18 and had his statements shared more than 170,000 times.
Brian Betschart of the online fashion magazine Sneakerfiles.com also denounced the claim that Nike rejected Curry over his desire to put a Bible verse on a sneaker.
The athlete’s Under Armour shoe, Curry One, is “essentially sold out, save for sizes 14, 15, and 16,” according to ESPN and the new curry’s are topping the chart as the fastest selling shoe in the billion dollar franchise’s history.
The Curry Ones were the best-selling items on Under Armour’s website and the curry two is accomplishing the same feat.
Under Armour executives tell ESPN Curry has a “unique blend” that appeals to customers.
“His contract with the Swoosh was set to expire and according to reports, was offered less than $2.5 million a year from Nike. Under Armour, mainly known throughout the Football world offered Curry less than $4 Million a year (actual amount is unknown). Curry gave Nike a second chance to match Under Amour’s offer, who declined,” wrote Betschart.
“At this time, Curry wasn’t the player he is today and Nike was unsure he would be able to sell shoes. Under Armour took a chance and won.”
Ex: Christianpost
