Here's a fun one. Nike Olympics shirt for women.

[WOT?*]

shine.yahoo.com/fashion/nike-8217-sexist-8220-gold-digging-8221-shirt-163800666.html


Nike was an official outfitter for the London Olympics this year, but we're starting to question the brand's team spirit. A controversial Olympics-inspired Nike t-shirt is on the market emblazoned with the phrase "Gold Digging." Since the garment is only available for women, fashion bloggers and the Twittersphere are calling it sexist. Apparently only women--or female Olympians--are gold diggers.



Controversial Adidas "shackle" sneakers never made it to stores

Was there not another more positive, inspiring phrase Nike could have printed on these women's tees? "Reach for the Gold," "Go for the Gold," or "Good as Gold," would have gotten the point across in Nike's trademark "Just Do It" sort of way. A gold digger is a woman out for a man's money. In this Olympic context, a phrase like "Gold Digging" implies you don't deserve or didn't earn your prize, and you went about obtaining it in a deceitful or unsportsmanlike way. The American women at the Olympics this year worked hard for their medals, and took home twice as many golds as their male counterparts.

Here's a complete list of US Olympian medalists

But this hasn't stopped many major retailers from carrying, and almost selling out of Nike's "Gold Digger" t-shirt. The style, which comes in black, grey, or white with gold lettering, is currently available at Footlocker, Finish Line, Sports Authority, Nordstrom, and Eastbay for $24.99. Some sites have put the shirt on sale, most likely since the Olympic games have ended.

Nike's own website lists the "Gold Digging" shirt as "Style that starts a conversation." And start a conversation it certainly has. The item description says, "When nothing less than the best will do, the Nike 'Gold Digging' Women's T-Shirt is up to the challenge with a bold design that's a treat on the eyes in a slim, comfortable fit."

One online store called the World Soccer Shop apparently saw the potentially offensive connotations of the t-shirt and listed it with the following statement "We aren't saying they're gold diggers - we're just saying they're out for the gold! What's wrong with that?"

Many people see something wrong with it.

Fashion blog Styleite, who wrote about the t-shirt, tweeted, "US ladies win two-thirds of the country's gold medals at the Olympics, and @nike rewards them with this sexist tee." One man on Twitter agreed, writing, "Really, @nike, really?! You're going with "Gold Digging" for one of the #USWNT Olympic shirts? Super sexist." One woman asked, "Is this #Olympics pride? Big surprise not avail in Men sizes." Another man tweeted, "What do you know - Olympic sponsors (corporate exporters) NIKE design Sexist 'gold-digger' women's shirts. New low."

On the other hand, some people are appreciating Nike's tongue-in-cheek Olympics shirt. "I've gotten so many compliments or laughs at my shirt I'm wearing 'Gold digging' #nike," one woman said on Twitter. Another user laughed, "Truth hurts!!" A college girl Tweeted, "I can think of a few girls on this campus who should wear this." One woman wrote, "I want one," while another asked aloud, "Seriously...is this really a big deal?"

Nike did not immediately respond to calls for comment. Since the "Gold Digging" t-shirts were so widely distributed and are already on sale in many places, it's doubtful the items will be pulled. Do you think Nike should apologize for their poorly worded tee, or do you think people are overreacting to just another silly t-shirt slogan? Let us know in the comments.

This is not the first time Nike has come under fire pertaining to the Olympics this year. The The U.S. women's soccer team was subject of ridicule for wearing Nike t-shirts reading "Greatness Has Been Found" after its gold-medal win over Japan. People found the slogan smug and inappropriate. Ben Rothenberg of the New York Times tweeted, "Greatness has been found,' but not humility. Gross," while SI.com's Courtney Nguyen agreed. "Put those t-shirts away, USA," she tweeted. "Keep it classy."

In addition, Nike's controversial TV ad featuring a 200-pound boy running made headlines at the start of the London games. Watch the clip below.

UPDATE: Nike contacted us with the following statement on their “Gold Digging” shirts: “Nike has consistently supported female athletes and the position they enjoy as positive role models. The t-shirt uses a phrase in an ironic way that is relevant given it was released just as the world focused on the success of female athletes.”

[aw]

Oh, please.

I'm offended because the shirt is tacky and ugly. The message on it is stupid, but I think that if it offends you, you are being too sensitive. Sometimes I feel like people will get worked up over anything today.

[WOT?*]

Where do you get that I'm offended? I thought it could make for an interesting topic of conversation in that this is the phrase of choice for the t-shirt, how well it is selling, how some people are viewing it as offensive vs. others viewing it as funny/topical/a conversation starter. Feminist Outrage vs. Have a Sense of Humor and It's Ugly vs. It's Kinda Funny.

[aw]

Aug 15, 2012 18:32:27 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Where do you get that I'm offended? I thought it could make for an interesting topic of conversation in that this is the phrase of choice for the t-shirt, how well it is selling, how some people are viewing it as offensive vs. others viewing it as funny/topical/a conversation starter. Feminist Outrage vs. Have a Sense of Humor and It's Ugly vs. It's Kinda Funny.

Oh, I'm so sorry. I wan't talking to you at all. I should have been clearer. I'm talking to the people who are outraged in the article.

[WOT?*]

Aug 15, 2012 18:33:56 GMT -5 aw said:

Oh, I'm so sorry. I wan't talking to you at all. I should have been clearer. I'm talking to the people who are outraged in the article.

Sorry, it's usually first-person failings (e.g. comprehension fail) when I get all defensive like that.

[msmerymac]

I have trouble finding things I like about Nike, so that might color my opinion.

[emilyj]

That's...odd. Given Nike's "Just Do It" campaign, this surprises me.

I think it's tacky as hell, and I'd judge a woman that bought and wore it (because really? You want to label yourself a gold digger?) but I'm not offended.

The JC Penny shirts aimed at girls that said "I'm too pretty to do my homework so my brother does it for me" were more offensive to me.

[taratru]

Meh. Nike is running out of clever slogans. The other day I saw a shirt that said "If you're still sweating, you're still alive."

Wow. Inspiring.

[penguingrrl]

I think they really could have chosen a better choice of words but I'm not offended by it. I just think it's a really dumb t-shirt that I won't be buying.

[marie427]

I blame Kanye West.

[heliocentric]

I don't get the outrage. I think it's funny (thought I'd never buy it because I hate the shiny letters and I'm not actually in the running for any gold medals). IMO it takes a traditionally negative description of some women and turns it around. Woman can get their own gold by kicking ass at the Olympics. I'm usually pretty sensitive to anything that portrays women as inferior, too.

I can see that people don't think it's funny, but it seems like it's a stretch that it's offensive. Men aren't generally called gold-diggers (though men do fall into that category) so it wouldn't really make any sense on a men's t-shirt.

But...I also rocked a Nike "You Run Like A Girl" t-shirt many years ago. (The reverse said "What excatly did you think I was?")

[emisi]

My problem with this shirt is that they're trying to claim it's an Olympic shirt, but the only thing Olympic about it is the word gold. It would be more clever if there was something Olympic-ish about it - the rings, something. As it is, it's just insulting to the wearer.

[ttt]

Aug 15, 2012 19:47:38 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

I don't get the outrage. I think it's funny (thought I'd never buy it because I hate the shiny letters and I'm not actually in the running for any gold medals). IMO it takes a traditionally negative description of some women and turns it around. Woman can get their own gold by kicking ass at the Olympics. I'm usually pretty sensitive to anything that portrays women as inferior, too.

I can see that people don't think it's funny, but it seems like it's a stretch that it's offensive. Men aren't generally called gold-diggers (though men do fall into that category) so it wouldn't really make any sense on a men's t-shirt.

But...I also rocked a Nike "You Run Like A Girl" t-shirt many years ago. (The reverse said "What excatly did you think I was?")

This is where I am. I don't think it's particularly awesome, but I don't think it's sexist either. It's taking a sexist phrase and turning it from "women depend on men!" to "women do it themselves". Isn't that the opposite of sexist?

ETA it's like that "A woman's place is in the house...and senate"

[heightsyankee]

Not offensive. People looove to whine.

[Deleted]

Nike is a shit company so shit is to be expected. I stopped giving them any money 20 years ago.

[Melissa W.]

Aug 15, 2012 21:42:04 GMT -5 ttt said:

Aug 15, 2012 19:47:38 GMT -5 heliocentric said:

I don't get the outrage. I think it's funny (thought I'd never buy it because I hate the shiny letters and I'm not actually in the running for any gold medals). IMO it takes a traditionally negative description of some women and turns it around. Woman can get their own gold by kicking ass at the Olympics. I'm usually pretty sensitive to anything that portrays women as inferior, too.

I can see that people don't think it's funny, but it seems like it's a stretch that it's offensive. Men aren't generally called gold-diggers (though men do fall into that category) so it wouldn't really make any sense on a men's t-shirt.

But...I also rocked a Nike "You Run Like A Girl" t-shirt many years ago. (The reverse said "What excatly did you think I was?")

This is where I am. I don't think it's particularly awesome, but I don't think it's sexist either. It's taking a sexist phrase and turning it from "women depend on men!" to "women do it themselves". Isn't that the opposite of sexist?

ETA it's like that "A woman's place is in the house...and senate"

Yup.. I have that bumper sticker. I only think they could have made it more clear what gold they were talking about.

[aw]

Aug 16, 2012 12:41:23 GMT -5 @dancesinchucks said:

I'm much more offended (well, more like disgusted...) by all the "50 Shades Baby" onesies, bibs, and even cloth diapers I have seen for sale in the mall and online.

Apparently my kid is going to be born at the height of the 50 Shades boom. Sigh. And I really liked the name Christian for a boy, but someone told me it's one of the character's names so now I can't use it. :@ :@ :@

[Deleted]

If I saw it, I'd probably raise an eyebrow because as it is, it doesn't seem very Olympic-y to me. I think they could have avoided a whole lot of stupidity by just putting some rings or even the word "London" on it somewhere, even in smaller font. If I saw THAT, then I'd probably chuckle and think it's kind of clever. But as a standalone? "Gold Digging" isn't exactly flattering.

But I'm not offended by it. I just think it's dumb.