Sources tell CNBC that retailers in the Philadelphia area have placed big orders for Vick's jersey since he was named the starter by Eagles coach Andy Reid this week. "Certainly after coach Reid declared him the starter and offered his vote of confidence, demand and sales escalated and we did bring in more (jerseys) to meet customer needs," said Jed Berger, senior vice president of marketing forModell's Sporting Goods, which brought Eagles No. 7 jerseys into its stores in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey. Even after Vick was picked up by the Philadelphia Eagles in August of last year, Dick's Sporting Goods didn't stock its shelves with Vick jerseys. It wasn't a political statement. It was merely due to the fact that it was believed that Vick's jersey wouldn't sell well. On Monday morning, however, two Dick's Sporting Goods stores in the Philadelphia area were promising customers that Vick jerseys would be in by the end of the week. Vick's Eagles jersey was in the top 20 best selling jerseys at the end of last season, but demand was weak in the offseason, as Donovan McNabb left to go to the Washington Redskins and Kevin Kolb was named the starter. (via CNBC)

Beleaguered Philadelphia Eagles QB, Michael Vick, has an endorsement deal once again.  You may have heard of his suitor.  A company by the name of Nike.  Details at Yahoo!,

“Mike has a long-standing, great relationship with Nike, and he looks forward to continuing that relationship,” his agent, Joel Segal, said Wednesday.

Segal would not reveal terms of the agreement. Nike declined a request for comment.

The deal was announced during a panel discussion at the Sports Sponsorship Symposium by Michael Principe, the managing director of BEST, the agency that represents Vick.

Nike, which signed Vick as a rookie in 2001, terminated his contract in August 2007 after the Atlanta Falcons star filed a plea agreement admitting his involvement in the dogfighting ring. At the time, Nike called cruelty to animals “inhumane, abhorrent and unacceptable” and halted release of his fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V.

Back when Vick first signed with the Eagles, Carter had said he was “too toxic for most companies to even consider taking a chance on him.” What’s changed? As Carter noted Wednesday, there has been little backlash to the quarterback’s return to the NFL.

But Paul Swangard, managing director of the Warsaw Sports Marketing Center at University of Oregon, isn’t surprised that Nike re-established its relationship with Vick.

“Nike has a history of supporting athletes. I think they are supporting an athlete who still garners attention,” Swangard said. “This is about Michael Vick as the athlete not Michael Vick the prisoner. … When he is inside the lines of the field he is an exciting football player and that’s what a brand like Nike can tap into.”

We’ve seen the reconstruction of professional athletes before.  Kobe Bryant, for example, had the whole Veil, Colorado incident, only to seemingly come back as strong as ever, with a string of endorsement deals, video game covers, and the NBA’s most popular selling jersey.

There has been seemingly little resistance to the Vick-experience, his jersey is even selling well, even without being sold in Pittsburgh-based Dicks Sporting Goods stores…but that doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been any resistance.  When this deal was first announced by main stream media last night, twitter was full of messages like this,

#boycottNike RT @BreakingNews: SportsBusiness Journal: Michael Vick signs endorsement deal with Nike, spokesman says.

Nike, we’re through. RT @BreakingNews SportsBusiness Journal: Michael Vick signs endorsement deal with Nike, spokesman says.

Gross. No more Nikes for us. RT @BreakingNews SportsBusiness Journal: Michael Vick signs endorsement deal with Nike, spokesman says.

No more Nike in this house! @BreakingNews: SportsBusiness Journal: Michael Vick signs endorsement deal with Nike, spokesman says.

Apparently, over the last 12 hours, Nike listened.  Today, they’ve announced that Vick has no endorsement deal with the company.

Nike says it does not have a “contractual relationship” with Michael Vick(notes), a day after the quarterback’s agent announced a deal with the manufacturer.

In a statement released Thursday morning, Nike says it has “agreed to supply product to Michael Vick as we do a number of athletes who are not under contract with Nike.”

So apparently, Nike is providing Vick with equipment, but hasn’t formally endorsed him.

Vick is definitely one of the more intriguing stories in sports history.  Maybe the story itself is still too novel, but at times it seems that the American public is unwilling to ever forgive Vick (of course most have, but the small pockets we see that aren’t forgiving Vick seem a lot larger than what you’ll see with other athletes).  Sports history has had its share of murders, gamblers, cheaters, racists, sexual offenders, adulterers…America has usually not only been quick to forgive these people, but some of them were vigorously defended from the onset (Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger is a recent example that comes to mind).  But Vick, with his dog fighting ring, is arguably the figure that has been and will be the hardest to redeem in sports history.

No one was vowing to boycott Under Armor when Ray Lewis became a spokesperson (or SOBE life water, for that matter).  There weren’t throngs of people outside of Steeler games, looking to protest the fact that Ben Roethlisberger was on the field.  Fans cheered for Kobe Bryant a few years ago, even if sponsors weren’t beating down his door.

Simply put, what is it about dogs, that we don’t see with people?  Are dogs more highly valued in our society than someone claiming rape? or people involved in a double homocide?  Are people able to intrinsically connect all dogs together (dogs that died are like my dog!) and not people? Or like I said, maybe the situation with Vick is still too fresh?

I’m still not sure.  Maybe we’ll get a better understanding about where we’re at with the Vick experience once he officially gets an endorsement deal.

Brett Favre will not leave you alone.  You cannot escape him. Do not try.

For all the apparent vitriol spewed about Brett Favre, America sure does seem to love him…or at least, his jersey.  He’s well on his way to paying back the Vikings on their investment.  Great info from Darren Rovell,

Perhaps the most interesting jersey sales list of all time has hit our desk at CNBC. It’s the NFLShop.com’s best selling jersey list from April 1-August 28.

Brett Favre Vikings jerseys now top the list at No. 1, even though the jerseys only became available when Favre signed with the team a couple weeks ago.

Here’s the entire list from sales on NFLShop.com from the NFL’s first four months of the fiscal year.

1. Brett Favre, Vikings
2. Jay Cutler, Bears
3. Troy Polamalu, Steelers
4. Michael Vick, Eagles
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
6. Tony Romo, Cowboys
7. Mark Sanchez, Jets
8. Tom Brady, Patriots
9. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
10. Eli Manning, Giants
11. Terrell Owens, Bills
12. Peyton Manning, Colts
13. Hines Ward, Steelers
14. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
15. Jason Witten, Cowboys
16. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
17. Joe Flacco, Ravens
18. Matt Ryan, Falcons
19. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
20. Michael Crabtree, 49ers

Rovell also goes to point out the popularity of the Michael Vick jerseys.  Pittsburgh based Dick Sporting Goods isn’t even carrying Vick’s jersey, yet he’s still managed to become the 4th most popular jersey since April.  Again, not bad for a “murderous dog killer who many people would have preferred to never play in the NFL again.”  So what can be gleaned from this information?  It’s the same thing that I’ve mentioned before…America loves to give people second chances.  Haven’t we already seen this sort of thing with Kobe Bryant?  Not that Favre was in any danger of losing his Wrangler endorsement or appearing in another Sears commercial, but how long will it be before he picks up endorsers again?  Yes, the crime was heinous, yes he went to jail…but advertising is all about taking someone advertisers believe to be marketable, and making money off of them.  Michael Vick has a more popular selling jersey than Tom Brady, or Adrian Peterson, and you’re going to tell me that he cannot find an endorsement deal? I have trouble believing that.  The only question is, who will be the first person willing to take the criticism but make the money with Michael Vick?

– Dave Chappelle

The NBA just released its list of most popular jerseys, and Kobe Bean Bryant tops the list again (he briefly lost his spot last year to Kevin Garnett).  As if I needed reassurance, this list has done nothing more than reiterate the point that any upper echelon sports figure is redeemable…if they provide the fans with the entertainment they crave (i.e. playing well), and show even the slightest bit of contrition.  Before I get all preachy though, some info on the list,

Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant excels on the hardwood and dominates on the racks, topping this year’s list of most popular NBA jerseys. Bryant reclaimed the No. 1 spot, which he held in 2006-07, after being overtaken last year by the Boston Celtics’ Kevin Garnett. The list is based on sales at the NBA Store in New York City and NBAStore.com since the start of the 2008-09 NBA season through April 2009…

Fans continue to demand Los Angeles Lakers merchandise as the team tops the NBA’s list of most popular team merchandise. Lakers merchandise has been the most popular among fans for six out of the last seven seasons…

2008-09 marks the third season with adidas as the official on-court uniform and apparel provider for the NBA and sales of NBA jerseys increased 7 percent over last year at the NBA Store and NBAStore.com combined.

First off, its interesting to note that NBA jersey merchandise sales rose 7% even in the face of a recession.  Maybe the recession hasn’t effected sports merchandise as much as most would have thought?  Or maybe NBA jerseys are at an affordable price point regardless of the economic times? Who knows.  Obviously, an increase in jersey sales is not representative of the profitability of the entire league, but I’m sure that David Stern can, and will hang his hat on the strong merchandise sales (Is he possibly relying on the strength of the NBA brand too much?  Sometimes, yes.)

Now, back to Mr. Bryant.  Like I mentioned before, athletes can always get back into the good graces of the sports world, and arguably society at large, if they play well and show the slightest bit of contrition.  America wants to forgive athletes.  They’re heroes.  They are placed on pedastals.  They don’t make mistakes…or if they do, we can easily glean over them.  Do you think that Eliot Spitzer will ever live down his incident with a hooker?  No. He will always be, “Eliot Spitzer, the former governor involved in the prostitution ring.”  No one refers to Kobe, as “Kobe Bryant, the guy accused of rape in Colorado”, he’s just “Kobe” or “Black Mamba” or “Greatest player in the NBA”.  Why?  because America mytholgizes great athletes, in part because they do things that the nation at large can’t do.  Anyone can argue that they might be able to be governor of a state with the right team around them, but only a handful can say that they can score 81 points against an NBA team.  We want, no, we need athletes to be perfect.  Sports is our escape mechanism, and whenever the real world interferes with our escape, we’re willing to go to great lengths to ensure that balance is restored.  “Say your sorry, and continue to entertain us, and everything is alright.”  I think the guy who sold the most NBA jerseys this year would agree with that assessment.

And anyone who doubts? Lets just wait and see what happens with Mike Vick, shall we?

NBA.com — Bryant reclaims place as NBA’s most popular jersey

• The IRL has created a new “minimum weight rule“. At 100 lbs. Danica Patrick is pretty pissed. Maybe she should take to driving muscle cars instead.

• The Miami Florida Marlins are looking to their fans to help choose a bobble head doll to represent the franchise’s 15 years. Wait…the Marlins have been around 15 years?

• In Roger Clemens news, it looks like Rusty Hardin once represented Andy Pettitte. Conflict of Interest, Activate!

• Breaking down that whole 49ers/Bears – Lance Briggs/Draft Pick thing, from the eyes of a Niners Fan.

• Michael Vick had his state court trial postponed until June. Kind of funny…you go to jail, and the public forgets all about you. I did, at least.

Today, special master Stephen B. Burbank set down his ruling in the Michael Vick arbitration case. The ruling? The Falcons are going to be able to attempt to recoup $20 million from Vick, $20 million that Vick had received in different signing and roster bonuses. The Falcons were arguing that Vick had willfully violated his contract (i.e. was involved in an illegal activity) when he signed it in 2004.

Vick on the other hand, seemed to be using the same argument that worked in a previous ruling involving former Broncos receiver Ashley Lelie. In the previous ruling, it was determined that a team could not recover option bonuses or prorated shares of option bonuses. Many experts thought that since Vick had already played 3 years on his contract the Falcons would be unable to recoup the prorated portion of his signing bonus that he received each year. Obviously, today’s ruling shows that the experts were “slightly off” (they were estimating a recovery of only about $3.5 million). I wish there was more to explain about Burbank’s ruling, but none of the major news sites seem to be reporting on the matter in any detail. Apparently, shrugging it off as “highly technical” was enough for the general public. The only insight that they gave was that the Falcons were allowed, under the ruling, to go after about $20 million dollars in roster bonus money that was given to Vick over the last three years. I’m completely guessing here, but, that combined with an ESPN article from August, may shed some light on the subject,

The Falcons might argue that, since the roster bonuses were converted to signing bonuses, they have the right to seek repayment. Vick would likely counter that it was the prerogative of the Falcons to convert the money into signing bonuses, that they were not bound to do so, and that they are characterized as roster bonuses in the original extension document of 2004.

If the Falcons did argue that the roster bonuses that Vick received were in fact signing bonuses and Burbank agreed with them, then any prorated portion of the bonuses that would count against the Falcons in the future would be recoverable (i.e. the Falcons pay Vick a roster bonus in a lump sum during a particular year. The Falcons prorate that amount over X number of years in their salary cap dealings. If the Falcons chose to treat the roster bonus as a signing bonus, then, based on the fact that Vick is suspended indefinitely, he should have to pay the Falcons for the prorated portion of his roster bonus that will count against the Falcons in the preceding years of his contract).

Don’t take my word on it, and definitely wait for a more definitive answer, has anybody out there read this and written an article on it…??? But, I think that this may be a partial explanation of the ruling.

Like I said. Michael Vick is looking for donations.

ESPN: Falcons asking for $20 million; experts say it could be only $3.5 million

Yahoo! Sports: Arbitrator rules Falcons can recoup nearly $20 million in bonus money paid to Vick

UPDATE: Mike Florio of the Sporting News looked to explain the Vick situation as well. I think we sort of agree, although he does a better job of explaining the point, i think

Related –

Sports Business Digest: Atlanta Falcons to Vick: Can I borrow 20 million dollars?

Sports Business Digest: Mike Vick…well, at least he’s fast, right?

“We, The National Football League Players Association … Pay homage to our predecessors for their courage, sacrifice, and vision; … Pledge to preserve and enhance the democratic involvement of our members; … Confirm our willingness to do whatever is necessary for the betterment of our membership – To preserve our gains and achieve those goals not yet attained.”

Pretty impressive right? If you’re a football player its good to know that you have this wonderful union looking out for your better interests (wow, they do whatever is necessary for the betterment of their membership…that’s me!). That’s probably what Michael Vick was thinking when the Falcons went after him to try and recoup $20 million dollars worth of bonus money (man…this whole dog fighting thing escalated pretty quickly…Fortunately, I know I have the NFLPA looking out for me on this one…I can at least count on them). Then, he probably remembered this statement,

“We believe the criminal conduct to which Mr. Vick has pled guilty today cannot be condoned under any circumstances. Speaking personally, as I have previously stated, the practice of dog fighting is offensive and completely unacceptable. I can only hope that Mr. Vick, who is a young man, will learn from this awful experience.”

– Gene Upshaw, head of the NFLPA

That was the vote of confidence Michael Vick was looking for, I’m sure. It almost seems as if the NFLPA was going to completely disregard their duties because of the heinous nature of Vick’s act. Apparently since then though, cooler heads have prevailed, because lawyers for the NFLPA defended Vick in court on Thursday, arguing that the Falcons cannot recover the money based on provisions in the collective bargaining agreement. A decision on the matter is expected on October 12th.

I certainly don’t condone dog fighting, but I do condone doing your job even when its an ugly job. Obviously Upshaw (and, I assume many others) didn’t condone Vick’s actions, I just wonder how close they came to turning a blind eye? Guess we’ll never know.

ESPN: Falcons seek $20M from Vick

Yahoo! Sports: Union attorney: Falcons don’t have right to recoup bonus money paid to Falcons QB Vick

Related –

Sports Business Digest: Mike Vick…well at least he’s fast right?

Sports Business Digest: Reconstructing Michael Vick

Honestly, what more could Michael Vick do wrong? The only way he could make this situation worse is if he hi-jacked a plane or something. If you are already in trouble for arguably the biggest sports story in the last 10 years, and then you get a small reprieve with Bill Belichick and the Patriots spygate incident, and then what do you do? bring yourself right back into the spotlight with your failed urine test.

What’s the old adage? Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. The bad part for Michael Vick? I think Judge Hudson knows the adage as well.

ESPN: Vick supporters turn out for town meeting

Yahoo! Sports: Falcons QB Michael Vick tests positive for marijuana

NOTE: the picture is from Kissing Suzy Kolber.  It is a hilarious sports site, the particular post about Mike Vick can be found here