Nike terminates contract with Michael Vick

BEAVERTON, OR - Sportswear giant Nike severed its ties with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick today following his plea agreement on dogfighting charges.<br> <br> Nike issued a statement that said -- quote -- ``Nike has terminated our contract with Michael Vick following today&#39;s release of details of his plea. As we have said in previous statements, we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane, abhorrent and unacceptable.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Nike suspended Vick&#39;s contract last month and said items bearing his name would no longer appear in company-owned stores.<br> <br> Terms of his deal with Nike have not been released.<br> <br> The NFL suspended Vick indefinitely without pay today following his plea agreement portraying himself less involved in dog fighting that three of his co-defendants but guilty of poor judgment for associating with them.<br> <br> Vick, who had previously pleaded not guilty, said he bankrolled betting on the fights but denied placing bets himself or taking winnings.<br> <br> He admitted that several dogs not worthy of the pit were killed by himself and two co-defendants by drowning or hanging.<br> <br> U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson will formally accept the plea on Monday and set a sentencing date likely to land Vick in prison for one to five years.<br> <br> Earlier, Nike had told retailers it will not release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer and that the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick&#39;s name would remain in stores.<br> <br> (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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