Nike reportedly cancels Karim Benzema ad campaign

Nike reportedly canceled a planned advertising campaign featuring former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in London at the last minute. The project was intended to promote the Shox R419 sneaker line in collaboration with the streetwear brand Corteiz.

Reports from The Athletic suggest that Nike executives decided to halt the shoot after an internal review concluded that Benzema’s legal history—specifically his 2021 conviction for complicity in a blackmail attempt involving Mathieu Valbuena—was incompatible with the company’s core values. In a statement, a Nike spokesperson noted, “This project does not reflect a wider relationship between the athlete and Nike. We regret that the discussions have gone this far.”

Karim Benzema has vehemently denied these reports, labeling them “fake news” via his Instagram story. The 38-year-old forward, who is currently a free agent following his departure from Al Hilal, had been seeking new commercial partnerships after his long-term contract with Adidas expired.