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Earlier tonight, college basketball superstar Zion Williamson was forced to leave the UNC-Duke game after suffering a bizarre injury when his Nike sneakers exploded.
https://twitter.com/gifdsports/status/1098404816697638912
Zion’s shoe blow out. pic.twitter.com/ObqmE5Zvr8
— Steve Noah (@Steve_OS) February 21, 2019
Duke says freshman Zion Williamson (knee) will not return to Wednesday game vs. UNC. Projected 2019 No. 1 pick slipped early in first half. pic.twitter.com/dq5whZzwAq
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 21, 2019
Immediately after Zion’s injury Puma hoops decided it was a good idea to capitalize and take a shot at Nike.
Puma Hoops have done so many things right with their social strategy, but this was a horrible move (tweet has already been deleted). #UNCvsDuke
[Re: Zion Williamson getting injured] pic.twitter.com/8c29jcNB9n
— Daniel Kobin (@danielkobin) February 21, 2019
Terrible @PUMA. Completely in bad taste. https://t.co/IqvMIdUMmf
— Easy Mo’Bee (@NotoriousOED) February 21, 2019
Former ESPN writer Darren Rovell also had a few of his own insensitive tweets when he started going full Rovell and began talking about the effect of Zion’s injury on Nike’s stock.
Rough start for Nike. Like really rough. pic.twitter.com/2t2C89EyXG
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 21, 2019
It’s not a material loss to Nike’s business, but I wouldn’t be completely surprised if Nike’s stock, on no other news, didn’t do a little dip tomorrow morning from this prominent event.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 21, 2019
Nike up to #3 nationwide on Twitter trends at the moment. pic.twitter.com/i1x2KLb7bw
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 21, 2019
Worst Nike shoe malfunction since Eliud Kipchoge missed a record in the Berlin Marathon in 2015 after the insoles fell out of his shoes. Nike said they were prototypes. Doesn’t compare to the stage that the Zion malfunction was just on. pic.twitter.com/WbJyKR2oxU
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 21, 2019
Rovell’s tweet didn’t go over well on Twitter.
JFC man, throw in a “I hope he’s okay” for appearances
— Kerith Burke (@KerithBurke) February 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/jakeparcell/status/1098417524033667077
This. Is. Perfect. pic.twitter.com/iRrY0IeI8L
— Tim Ryan🦤 (@TheSportsHernia) February 21, 2019
— Sampson (@WestDrProject) February 21, 2019
— Jay Rigdon (@jayrigdon5) February 21, 2019
Rovell when Zion’s shoe exploded pic.twitter.com/hs7kOgq9hF
— Marco (@mcorona_42) February 21, 2019