A second gun video and yet another suspension won’t cost Ja Morant his deal with Nike after all … the Swoosh just announced it’s still backing the NBA superstar.
In a statement released just minutes after Adam Silver banned Morant 25 games for waving a firearm on Instagram Live for the second time this year … Nike announced it will not be severing its ties with the Grizzlies hooper.
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Ja Morant Suspended 25 Games After Second Gun Incident
“We are pleased that Ja is taking accountability and prioritizing his well-being,” the shoe giant said. “We will continue to support him on and off the court.”
For a while following the second gun video, it appeared the relationship was in jeopardy … as the co. had wiped all of his signature athletic shoes from its app and website. But now, it’s clear — the two are moving forward in lockstep.
Of course, Ja has had a relationship with Nike dating back to 2019 … and he’s become one of the faces of the company — releasing his first-ever Ja 1 shoe a few months back.
It all clearly makes a ton of dollars and sense for both sides regardless … as even with all of the controversy surrounding him, Morant’s Ja 1 “Hunger” colorway drop sold out in a matter of minutes back in late May.
Morant’s yet to comment on the support from Nike … but he did say in a statement Friday he was going to work like hell to be “a better man than what I’ve been showing you.”