After years of pushing woke political messages in their ads, Nike has suddenly swapped its activist tone for something that feels a lot more traditional.
The company’s newest ad shows a peaceful scene: a father and child playing golf.
But before conservatives declare victory, is Nike really changing? Or are they just reading the room – and trying to save their bottom line?
Nike ads, 2021 vs 2025: pic.twitter.com/XD6ofUS2km
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 21, 2025
From Woke to Whatever Works
Back in 2021, Nike’s “Own the Floor” campaign featured a plus-size dancer in a flashy, in-your-face performance.
It was meant to celebrate diversity and body positivity, echoing the progressive causes that dominated social media and corporate boardrooms at the time.
By 2025, though, that strategy wasn’t working anymore.
Their recent “Never Again” ad for the London Marathon, meant to inspire strength, sparked outrage for using a phrase deeply tied to Holocaust remembrance.
People weren’t inspired. They were offended.
The Numbers Paint a Clear Picture
A 2023 Nielsen study found that U.S. consumers are 12% less likely to stick with a brand if they feel ads are pushing political messages.
People don’t want politics with their sneakers.
Nike’s stock has also taken a hit, dropping nearly 25% over the past five years. It’s a sign of lost trust – and lost customers.
So now Nike is shifting gears. But not because they’ve had a change of heart.
They’ve had a change in profit margins.
It’s Business, Not Belief
Don’t mistake this new ad for a new set of values. Big brands like Nike don’t “believe” in much other than whatever keeps the money flowing.
A 2024 report by Edelman showed that 67% of consumers just want brands to focus on quality, not politics.
Nike is simply doing what it’s always done: follow the crowd, track the trends, and give people what they think they want – until the next trend comes along.
This isn’t a moral awakening. It’s marketing.
Conservatives Aren’t Fooled
While many conservatives welcomed the more wholesome imagery in Nike’s latest ad, most are staying cautious.
That skepticism is well-earned. Nike has a long track record of playing both sides.
One year it’s Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem. The next, it’s a dad teaching his kid to golf.
Whichever one brings in more money, that’s the side they’ll take.
Hey, that’s business.
History Repeats Itself
In the 1960s, brands embraced the Civil Rights Movement. In the 1990s, they chased global markets. In the 2010s, they pandered to woke culture.
Now in the 2020s, as more Americans grow tired of political agendas, brands like Nike are shifting again.
The 2025 ad may look like a retreat from identity politics, but if the cultural winds shift back tomorrow, Nike will go right along with them.
This is a business decision, not a cultural change.
The company hasn’t suddenly embraced traditional values. It’s trying to protect its brand and stop the bleeding after years of pushing a progressive agenda.
Yes, the pressure worked. Yes, conservative voices made an impact. But no, Nike hasn’t changed for good.
They’ve just hit the pause button.
Keep watching. Keep speaking up.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
