Adult sizes of Nike's "True to 7" sneakers, which pay tribute to former NFL quarterback and political activist Colin Kaepernick, sold out on their first day, according to the company website.
The big picture: Kaepernick has been a controversial figure since 2016, when he began taking a knee during the national anthem to protest racial inequality. Nike embraced the athlete in 2018, featuring him prominently in the 30th anniversary of its "Just Do It" ad campaign. The company's support for Kaepernick resulted in a #BoycottNike movement.
- While Nike's stock took a hit after the campaign's announcement, online sales saw a boost, CNBC notes.
- Kaepernick's criticism of a Betsy Ross-inspired shoe from Nike earlier this year also prompted the company the cancel its release.
Kaepernick is no longer in the NFL. He alleged in 2018 that NFL team owners colluded to keep him off rosters due to his politics, but settled a lawsuit against the league in February.
Go deeper: Kaepernick becomes new face of Nike's "Just Do It" campaign
