They just did it --
Nike has finally decided to give back the tapes they confiscated showing
LeBron James getting dunked on by a college kid.
Nike henchmen took the tapes from two accredited journalists moments after Xavier's
Jordan Crawford threw it down on King James at his Nike sponsored summer skills camp earlier this month.
The decision to take the tapes ignited a huge controversy and speculation that the Swoosh didn't want LeBron, a huge Nike spokesperson, to be seen in a bad light.
Nike claims it only snatched the tapes based on a policy that no pickup games be filmed.
But now -- 2 days after TMZ released
the first copy of the dunk -- Nike is finally doing the right thing. However, it's unclear when they will hand the tapes back to the journalists.
Just because you're not
Michael Phelps doesn't mean anyone can just use your image any way they want.
Olympic hero
Jason Lezak -- a seven-time Olympic medalist who is most remembered for swimming the anchor leg of the 4x100 relay at the Beijing Olympic Games -- is suing
Nike (and a swimming apparel website) because he claims they used his image in an ad without his permission.
According to a lawsuit filed Tuesday, Lezak does not have a deal with either of them and has never received any payment for the ad.
He is seeking unspecified damages.
Eddie Van Halen claims
Nike is guilty of walking all over him -- by saying the shoe giant jacked his trademarked black, white and red design for a new line of sneakers.
ELVH Inc. -- Eddie's company -- filed a federal lawsuit against Nike last week, laced with allegations of copyright infringement. The suit claims a series of designs Eddie trademarked -- designs which have prominently been displayed on his guitars since 1978 -- were lifted by Nike without his consent.
The suit is not only seeking monetary retribution -- it also calls for "the impoundment and destruction of all footwear."
Arizona Cardinals superstar
Larry Fitzgerald agreed to race a trash-talkin' blogger yesterday -- but only if the guy agreed to put his digital camera and brand new limited edition shoes on the line. Guess who won..
BTW -- Larry just signed a $40 million contract extension in '08. But the feeling of putting a blogger in his place ... priceless.
Thanks to our boys at
WithLeather for the heads up.
Charles Barkley has just stepped up to deliver a press conference from inside Tent City Jail in Arizona.
Before the presser, Barkley was photographed as he first got to Tent City by
KTVK in Phoenix. In the photos, Barkley is rocking a Nike tracksuit, a gold chain and a ridiculous grin.
Contrary to earlier reports, Barkley will not be forced to wear the legendary pink boxers or striped uniform.
Because he is on "work release," he will be able to stay in his clothes the entire time.
Story developing ... video to follow soon.
"Bachelor" star Lt. Andy Baldwin is honorably serving his country -- by taking a dip in these swell little Nike square cut trunks! Thank you!
The Navy hunk was in Hawaii for his early morning swim. Stroke! He'll be competing in an "Iron Man" competition this weekend. Andy ships off to Iraq in January.
It must be lonely on the boats with all those sailors.
The first of eight
Eminem-designed
Nike sneakers has been unveiled.
The sneaker features the Grammy-winning rapper's name alongside the trademark Nike swoosh.
Starting Thursday eight sets of each limited-edition design (64 pairs total) will be auctioned off over the next month in Nike stores and on
eBay. Regarding the design process
Eminem says, "My only problem was figuring out how to make the shoes different from stuff they've already done: Nike always has the dopest color combos."
Proceeds from the auctions raises money for the Marshall Mathers Foundation, which helps troubled youth in southeast Michigan, and the
ninemillion.org, which benefits the world's refugee youth.
Eminem has his own fashion line called
Shady Ltd.
America's favorite athlete
Lance Armstrong has teamed up with America's favorite shoe company and mp3 player.
Nike and
Apple Computer have teamed up to bring the world of sports and music together with the launch of their Nike+iPod sports line. The first gadget of the line to roll out is the Nike+iPod Sport Kit, a wireless system that allows the Nike+ footwear to "talk" to your iPod Nano, thus creating the ultimate workout experience.
