Nike’s Sexist “Gold Digging” Shirt Under Fire

Nike was an official outfitter for the London Olympics this year, but we're starting to question the brand's team spirit. A controversial Olympics-inspired Nike t-shirt is on the market emblazoned with the phrase "Gold Digging." Since the garment is only available for women, fashion bloggers and the Twittersphere are calling it sexist. Apparently only women--or female Olympians--are gold diggers.

Was there not another more positive, inspiring phrase Nike could have printed on these women's tees? "Reach for the Gold," "Go for the Gold," or "Good as Gold," would have gotten the point across in Nike's trademark "Just Do It" sort of way. A gold digger is a woman out for a man's money. In this Olympic context, a phrase like "Gold Digging" implies you don't deserve or didn't earn your prize, and you went about obtaining it in a deceitful or unsportsmanlike way. The American women at the Olympics this year worked hard for their medals, and took home twice as many golds as their male counterparts.

But this hasn't stopped many major retailers from carrying, and almost selling out of Nike's "Gold Digger" t-shirt. The style, which comes in black, grey, or white with gold lettering, is currently available at Footlocker, Finish Line, Sports Authority, Nordstrom, and Eastbay for $24.99. Some sites have put the shirt on sale, most likely since the Olympic games have ended.

Nike's own website lists the "Gold Digging" shirt as "Style that starts a conversation." And start a conversation it certainly has. The item description says, "When nothing less than the best will do, the Nike 'Gold Digging' Women's T-Shirt is up to the challenge with a bold design that's a treat on the eyes in a slim, comfortable fit."

http://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/nike-8217-sexist-8220-gold-digging-8221-shirt-163800666.html