Nike to alter image of strip mine in promo ad for coal-themed WVU football uniform

Nike to alter uniform ad that upset mine activists

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University says Nike will modify the graphic in a promotional ad for a new football uniform that depicts a mountaintop removal mine.

A statement issued late Thursday from Nike said the same thing WVU said earlier in the day: The new Pro Combat uniform was designed to honor the heritage of coal mining and the 29 victims of the Upper Big Branch mine disaster.

Nike issued the statement through WVU. It says it will change the image to address the concerns of angry environmental activists.

They say the ad appears to be a tacit endorsement of the controversial form of strip mining in Appalachia.

Activists also complained the ad made little sense. Upper Big Branch was an underground operation.