Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant expressed dissatisfaction after being left out of Nike’s new Olympic campaign. He posted several cryptic messages on his Instagram story, questioning Nike’s decision.
Durant’s first message read, “@nike tell me, Am I a bad person?????”
Nike’s latest ad campaign for the 2024 Paris Olympics, titled “Winning Isn’t for Everyone,” features a commercial narrated by Willem Dafoe. It highlights the intense effort athletes put into achieving elite status. The ad includes NBA stars like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Victor Wembanyama, along with other renowned athletes such as Serena Williams, Sha’Carri Richardson, Cristiano Ronaldo, and more.
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) July 19, 2024
Durant, who signed with Nike in 2007 and recently released his 17th signature shoe, KD17, has a lifetime deal with the company. He is statistically the greatest Olympian in U.S. men’s basketball history, holding the record for the most Olympic points scored (435) and the highest overall international career points (640) for Team USA. Durant has led the U.S. team to gold in the last three Olympics.
Winning Isn’t For Everyone. It’s for those who do whatever it takes. #WinningIsntForEveryone #Paris2024 @Olympics pic.twitter.com/SRk3stApJu
— Nike (@Nike) July 19, 2024
In a series of Instagram posts, Durant shared images of his Olympic victories with Team USA, including a picture with James, Bryant, and Carmelo Anthony captioned, “Been wit yall every step of the way @nike.” He also posted images from the 2016 and 2020 Olympics, with one referencing the COVID-affected Tokyo Games.
A true honor to be in the game for life with @Nike https://t.co/VNj1IJUVWG
— Kevin Durant (@KDTrey5) April 28, 2023
Durant’s agent, Rich Kleiman, echoed Durant’s frustration on Twitter, noting Durant’s commitment to the Olympics despite recovering from an Achilles tear and highlighting his performance in Tokyo.
Red, White & Buckets! 🇺🇸
KD owns each of the top 3 spots for highest individual competition scoring average in @usabasketball Men’s Olympic history! pic.twitter.com/WGVYRFQyw8
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 17, 2024
LeBron James is the only active Team USA member featured in the ad, with Bryant included posthumously. The other athletes in the campaign come from various sports and countries.
i remember when hardly anyone wanted to play in the olympics during covid, but coming off an achilles tear a year earlier, @KDTrey5 went to Tokyo and had the all time highest scoring average and won his 3rd Gold medal! A story is only as real as it’s told!
— Ace (@richkleiman) July 19, 2024
Durant, who recently practiced with Team USA after a calf strain, revealed a KD17 “Team USA” colorway ahead of the Olympics.
Official Images // Nike KD17 "Team USA" 🇺🇸
DETAILS: https://t.co/pxX8Ar1hFf pic.twitter.com/gqV42nRYIv
— House of Heat° (@houseofheat) June 17, 2024