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Odell Beckham Jr. has been making headlines this week, and it's not about his return to the field. The wide receiver recently filed an elaborate lawsuit against apparel giant Nike. He blamed Nike for not honoring their commitments, which led him to take such a big step.
Currently a free agent, OBJ posted an elaborate statement about his problems with the company. While it was once a dream, the 30-year-old is now frustrated. However, not all fans were in support of the player.
Some fans, while respecting Odell Beckham Jr., want him to focus on playing again. Many added that the WR has barely played 10 games in four seasons, and probably has no right to go and cry about Nike. Here are some of the comments:
A few even referred to him as an overhyped WR, asking him to focus on the correct things. Others asked him to come join their teams, with offers ranging from the Miami Dolphins to the Atlanta Falcons. Many fans only wanted him to come back, hoping that the rest would just fall back into place.
While some also defended and supported Odell Beckham Jr., others simply refused to read because of the tiny font. It seems that the nature of OBJ's complaint has been lost in the noise.
Odell Beckham Jr. vs. Nike: Why is NFL star suing apparel giant?
According to Odell Beckham Jr.'s statement, he is extremely unhappy with Nike for bad faith, or not living up to their word. Considering the contract was signed, OBJ is entitled to file a lawsuit if the terms haven't been met. Here is what the receiver wrote in a statement:
“Being a Nike Athlete and Brand Icon was a dream I’ve had since being a young boy. I wanted to be the next Michael Jordan, Bo Jackson, LeBron James or Kobe Bryant in the Nike Family. When Nike exercised its right of first refusal to match the Adidas offer and not only kept me as a Nike Athlete, but also made me one of their Brand Icons—my dream had been fulfilled."
He continued:
"Unfortunately, Nike did not honor its commitments. Throughout our partnership, I have kept my promise and fulfilled my obligations to the brand. I am extremely disappointed that I’ve had to take these measures to ensure Nike fulfills their obligations and promises.”
While there was some tension beforehand, the relationship between Nike and OBJ worsened in March. They reportedly held back $2 million, which was followed up by an inquiry about his deal.
Furthemore, the brand apparently claimed that the former New York Giants WR did not meet their $70 million criteria. However, Beckham Jr. added that Nike themselves stopped manufacturing and selling their "royalty generating products after 2020.”
Reports also add that he is suing them for over $20 million. As lawsuits can take time to resolve, reports might provide a more detailed update in the future.
