Nike's jingoistic ad

A new Nike ad appearing in Sports Illustrated gets all Rockets Red Glare and Bombs Bursting in Air to sell the idea that Americans are gung ho for soccer:

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We live in a proud nation of more than 17,000,000 players of this game. We outnumber Holland's total population. We are twice the size of Portugal's population. By sheer numbers alone, we are going to sweep over most of the globe.

So Says This American Game.

Our men's national team ranks in the top ten of the world. Less than 20 short years ago, even microscopic island nations drooled rivers at the opportunity to dribble around us; to make us wish we never gained independence from England. They laughed at us.

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And no matter how much France looks down on us, or Brazil doubts us, or England mocks us; no matter what the odds, or the situation, or the game, the American people have this uncanny, gloriously stubborn belief that if we want something badly enough we will achieve it. This is the desire that coursed through the veins of our revolutionaries in 1776 and of our hockey team in 1980. Our country finds a way to win.

So Says This American Game.

This is soccer. A game for the flag-waving, tax-paying, apple-pie-eating, Star-Spangled-Banner-singing, red-blooded American.

So Says This American Game.

Yeah, well, the game may well be American but the sneakers are still produced by underpaid (mostly female) workers in often miserable conditions outside this great nation. Oh, and Brazil may doubt us and England may mock us but they are doing it in Nike jerseys aren't they?

**Love your Chuck Taylor's but in a social responsibility quandary (Converse is owned by Nike)? Worry no further. No Sweat has a Chuck T knockoff for sale. And they're even cheaper... (adland)

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