NIKE has been slammed for a “tone deaf” advertisement for the upcoming Australian Open Grand Slam.
As fires ravage the country causing death to people and animals and the loss of homes, the sportswear giant put out an ill-advised preview for clothing.
The ad reads: “Melbourne also tracks the hottest temperatures of any of tennis’ four majors.
“Averaging more than 100 degrees (37 degrees Celsius), the heat challenges players and, in turn, NikeCourt’s apparel designers to outduel the fiery conditions.”
At least 24 people have been killed and more than 200,000 homes have been destroyed in the raging infernos.
Climate change experts are warning more extreme weather could be on the way with cyclones, floods and warm temperatures anticipated over the summer.
And experts warn “the worst may be yet to come” with the country’s heatwave and cyclone seasons on the way.
Nike’s choice of wording was slammed by many people on Twitter after it was shared by New York Times writer Ben Rothenburg.
He wrote: “Just a bit tone deaf here, Nike”.
Another commented that it was “totally inappropriate” and that Nike needs to “get in the bin”.
Others described it as “tasteless”, “horrid” and appalling.”
However, some believed that it was “an honest mistake” by the global giants.
SOCIAL MEDIA SPLIT OVER WORDING
Dave Collins tweeted that people should “calm down” and pointed out that it had “already been fixed on their website”.
Pamela McCrory described the release as “not too interesting to me”, and another wrote that they were “trying to say that Australia is hot this time of year”.
But Sam Trovato thinks he has a solution to the problems caused, writing: “I guess @Nike could just apologise and donate a big wad of cash to the fire victims. Seems simple.”
SunSport has contacted Nike for their comments.
Heartbreakingfootagewas shared yesterday of charred animals corpses including koalas and kangaroos which perished in fires in Batlow, New South Wales.
It is believed nearly a billion animals have died in the infernos with several species on the brink of extinction.
TheSydney suburbwas declared the hottest place on Earth over the weekend with temperatures soaring to almost 50C.
Thekiller firesare continuing to ravage Australia with people fleeing New South Wales where a week-long state of emergency is in force.
New South Wales Transport Minister Andrew Constance compared the bushfires to “an atomic bomb”.
There are lots of ways to help those affected by the fires
