Sports

Nike Basketball Shoe Blowout May Be a ‘Classic’ Liability Case

Duke’s Zion Williamson hurts knee in game against archrival
No. 1 sports brand calls footwear blowout isolated occurrence

Nike Stock Takes Hit After Shoe For Duke University Star Splits

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By Eben Novy-Williams and Steven Sellers

February 21, 2019 at 6:42 AM UTC

Updated on

February 21, 2019 at 7:41 PM UTC

The high-profile failure of a Nike Inc. basketball shoe on Wednesday night was more than an epic embarrassment for the athletic brand. It could be a product-liability case.

Duke University star freshman Zion Williamson -- the consensus No. 1 pick in this year’s National Basketball Association draft -- sprained his knee when his Nike sneaker fell apart. He tumbled to the court less than 35 seconds into the loss to in-state rival North Carolina.