July 12, 2012
Michael Vick’s Comeback Continues with Clothing Line
When Michael Vick went to prison several years ago for his participation in illegal dog fighting, there were many who thought his reputation could never be rehabilitated. In fact, despite praise from groups such as the Humane Society for his work in support of animal rights, Mr. Vick’s popularity, by his own accounting, is only about 65 percent to 75 percent of what it was before prison.
Even though the numbers of his fans may be fewer today, they are not inconsequential and Mr. Vick, along with friend and business partner Brian Sher, believes the time is right for the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to launch his own line of athletic wear at affordable prices.
"It’s a life long dream," Mr. Vick said in a statement. "Just like when you envision yourself having a shoe as a young kid, you also envision yourself going a step further and having a clothing line."
Ruby Azrak, Russell Simmons’ former partner on the Phat Farm and Baby Phat clothing labels, is creating the line known as V7 to Mr. Vick’s specifications. According to The Wall Street Journal, Mr. Azrak’s Excel Corp. has exclusive rights to produce the V7 line.
The V7 line will initially be sold through 30 Modell’s Sporting Goods stores in and around Philadelphia. Modell’s has exclusive retail rights on the line through the end of the year. A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia.
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Discussion Questions
Discussion Questions: Do you expect Michael Vick’s V7 apparel line to be a hit beyond the Philadelphia area or will it be confined to fans of the Eagles football team? What should be your approach to the line if you are a retailer?
Poll
They need to tread carefully on this one. I am a big believer in giving people a second chance, but I am also a dog lover, so although I have no problem with Vick paying his dues and coming back to the NFL, I don’t need to support his clothing line. Some people don’t like Woody Allen because of his personal life, but he is a great director. Michael Vick made some serious mistakes, but he is a very exciting quarterback to watch. That said, I don’t need to support his clothing line and would not look kindly to a retailer that carries it.
This is the first time in a very long time (like “ever”) that I feel old-fashioned. I wouldn’t touch the line with a ten foot pole. What is wrong with the American public and its corporate denizens?
A “million moms” will threaten to boycott JC Penney because it dares to use Ellen Degeneres in some ads, and show same sex couples in other ads, but voices are strangely quiet when a man with a God-given talent uses his riches to raise and kill innocent animals, spends TWO YEARS in jail, and returns to success and riches.
Our society has gone completely nuts.
Only carry this line if you also carry fur and leather and are used to being picketed by PETA and the SPCA.
Seriously, Vick is still polarizing — much like Tiger. You either a) respect them for their athletic skill and don’t care about their personal foibles, b) are filled with the milk of human kindness and believe everyone should be forgiven who repents, or c) will never give them the time of day.
Given that reality, why would a retailer take the risk? The best marketplace for this line is online. There people can self select.
It was smart to call the line “V7” instead of Michael Vick though.
Imagine that, Michael Vick dreamt of having a shoe named for him when he was a kid. I wanted a good paying job.
If his popularity is at the level they are quoting, it is still a high number of people. My guess is these are young teens primarily. If they market it properly and do not try to force feed there will be sales. I doubt they will reach any large numbers, but he has to start somewhere.
If I were a retailer, I wouldn’t handle the line.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was wrong. There are always second acts in American lives. The question is, “Should there be?”
As to whether or not it will sell — Charles Manson’s image sells tee shirts, so why not? As H. L. Mencken noted, “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”
“…voices are strangely quiet when a man with a God-given talent uses his riches to raise and kill innocent animals, spends TWO YEARS in jail, and returns to success and riches…”
Paula, you stop the story at the conviction. Why not continue it through rehabilitation? As long as Vick now leads an honorable life, he can serve as a model for others who have made mistakes.
I can understand you would want to give up on someone who continues to make poor decisions, but I believe we have to recognize those who change for the better.
Since Modell has exclusive rights for a year, everyone else can observe demand over that period of time before making a decision. Credibility versus rehabilitation will be two important considerations. Sports fans in the northeast will be important to watch.
A lot of big-box retail mavens bought into the Martha Stewart comeback which never happened. Perhaps Mr. Modell will show them how it’s done?
I would take a stand … and just NOT sell the line. I am a bit bored of celebrities saying they are sorry.
“Just like when you envision yourself having a shoe as a young kid, you also envision yourself going a step further and having a clothing line.”
Ed beat me to it, but let me add on for emphasis: Mr. Vick and I grew up, if not on different planets, then in different worlds.
Putting aside all ethical considerations and looking at this strictly as a business proposition, whether to carry the line or not should probably depend on who your customer is. If it’s teenage/young adult males, then it probably makes sense — they want to look ‘bad’.
If your market is much broader, you’re probably going to annoy enough people that carrying the line becomes a negative.
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They need to tread carefully on this one. I am a big believer in giving people a second chance, but I am also a dog lover, so although I have no problem with Vick paying his dues and coming back to the NFL, I don’t need to support his clothing line. Some people don’t like Woody Allen because of his personal life, but he is a great director. Michael Vick made some serious mistakes, but he is a very exciting quarterback to watch. That said, I don’t need to support his clothing line and would not look kindly to a retailer that carries it.
This is the first time in a very long time (like “ever”) that I feel old-fashioned. I wouldn’t touch the line with a ten foot pole. What is wrong with the American public and its corporate denizens?
A “million moms” will threaten to boycott JC Penney because it dares to use Ellen Degeneres in some ads, and show same sex couples in other ads, but voices are strangely quiet when a man with a God-given talent uses his riches to raise and kill innocent animals, spends TWO YEARS in jail, and returns to success and riches.
Our society has gone completely nuts.
Only carry this line if you also carry fur and leather and are used to being picketed by PETA and the SPCA.
Seriously, Vick is still polarizing — much like Tiger. You either a) respect them for their athletic skill and don’t care about their personal foibles, b) are filled with the milk of human kindness and believe everyone should be forgiven who repents, or c) will never give them the time of day.
Given that reality, why would a retailer take the risk? The best marketplace for this line is online. There people can self select.
It was smart to call the line “V7” instead of Michael Vick though.
Imagine that, Michael Vick dreamt of having a shoe named for him when he was a kid. I wanted a good paying job.
If his popularity is at the level they are quoting, it is still a high number of people. My guess is these are young teens primarily. If they market it properly and do not try to force feed there will be sales. I doubt they will reach any large numbers, but he has to start somewhere.
If I were a retailer, I wouldn’t handle the line.
F. Scott Fitzgerald was wrong. There are always second acts in American lives. The question is, “Should there be?”
As to whether or not it will sell — Charles Manson’s image sells tee shirts, so why not? As H. L. Mencken noted, “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”
“…voices are strangely quiet when a man with a God-given talent uses his riches to raise and kill innocent animals, spends TWO YEARS in jail, and returns to success and riches…”
Paula, you stop the story at the conviction. Why not continue it through rehabilitation? As long as Vick now leads an honorable life, he can serve as a model for others who have made mistakes.
I can understand you would want to give up on someone who continues to make poor decisions, but I believe we have to recognize those who change for the better.
Since Modell has exclusive rights for a year, everyone else can observe demand over that period of time before making a decision. Credibility versus rehabilitation will be two important considerations. Sports fans in the northeast will be important to watch.
A lot of big-box retail mavens bought into the Martha Stewart comeback which never happened. Perhaps Mr. Modell will show them how it’s done?
I would take a stand … and just NOT sell the line. I am a bit bored of celebrities saying they are sorry.
“Just like when you envision yourself having a shoe as a young kid, you also envision yourself going a step further and having a clothing line.”
Ed beat me to it, but let me add on for emphasis: Mr. Vick and I grew up, if not on different planets, then in different worlds.
Putting aside all ethical considerations and looking at this strictly as a business proposition, whether to carry the line or not should probably depend on who your customer is. If it’s teenage/young adult males, then it probably makes sense — they want to look ‘bad’.
If your market is much broader, you’re probably going to annoy enough people that carrying the line becomes a negative.