Karim Benzema's legal past blocks Nike's project
On Thursday, in the studios in Paris, Karim Benzema was waiting for the Nike photographer for the scheduled shoot. The technicians had set up the lighting, the mannequins were lined up, and the countdown displayed eighteen hours.
Shooting cancellation
The Athletic reports that Nike cancelled the event the evening before. The decision was made without notice to the player.
The shoot was to be part of a partnership with the street‑wear brand Corteiz. Nike is said to have judged that Benzema's criminal record was incompatible with Corteiz's values.
In November 2021, the Versailles criminal court sentenced the French international to a one‑year suspended prison term and a €75,000 fine. He was found complicit in an attempted blackmail case involving Mathieu Valbuena's sextape.
Nike pulls plug on Benzema ad with values clash after review
This conviction has reignited scrutiny over sports collaborations. The Athletic notes that the brand “examined Benzema's past more closely” before making its decision.
Nike said: “This project does not reflect a broader relationship between the athlete and Nike. We regret that the discussions went this far.” The company, founded in 1968 by Philip Knight and Bill Bowerman, did not specify the reasons for the dispute.
Historically, the 2022 Ballon d’Or was sponsored by Adidas, but the partnership with the German manufacturer ended recently. In this context, Benzema, a native of Lyon, finds himself without an official kit supplier.