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Ted Cruz Takes Victory Lap as Iconic American Brand's Stock Plunges to 12-Year Low

Ted Cruz blamed Nike’s marketing choices as the company’s shares fell nearly 50% in a year, according to Mediaite.

  • On Monday, Nike shares hit a 12-year low, extending a downward spiral that has erased nearly 50% of the stock's value over the past year. Shares have plunged 78% from the company's November 2021 all-time high of $179.10.
  • Senator Ted Cruz blamed Nike's marketing strategy for the decline, describing it as "America-hate." Cruz cited the company's partnerships with Colin Kaepernick and Dylan Mulvaney, and the 2019 cancellation of a Betsy Ross sneaker, as reasons he abandoned the brand.
  • Former ESPN reporter Ethan Strauss argued Nike abandoned the competitive, athlete-focused marketing that built the brand into a powerhouse. Strauss contended the company's shift toward diversity-centered campaigns was a strategic mistake that alienated its traditional customer base.
  • Product quality concerns compound the decline, with critics noting Nike's reliance on retro designs over innovation. Nike's sponsorship of WNBA star Caitlin Clark offers a bright spot, though the company delayed three years before releasing her signature shoe.
  • Investors, Wall Street analysts, and customers continue debating the root causes as broader economic concerns dominate Washington discussions. Observers also point to aging sponsored athletes like LeBron James and Kevin Durant as potentially less appealing to younger shoppers.
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Bloomberg Linea broke the news on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
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