Vick’s troubles mount

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – Nike suspended its lucrative contract with Michael Vick on Friday, while Reebok took the unprecedented step of stopping sales of his No. 7 jersey.

In another dose of bad news for the indicted quarterback, a top trading card company announced it was pulling Vick’s likeness from any new packs.

Facing protests from animal-rights groups, Nike announced it was suspending Vick’s endorsement deal without pay, as well as halting sales of Vick-related shoes and other products at its retail stores.

“Nike is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent,” Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said in a statement.

Reebok, the official uniform supplier of the NFL, said it would stop selling Vick’s replica jersey at retail stores and through its Web site.

Donruss, one of four major trading card companies, has decided to pull Vick’s card from any future 2007 releases.

All three hits came one day after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback pleaded not guilty to federal dogfighting charges in Richmond, Va. In the indictment, he was accused of sponsoring a gruesome operation that often shot, hanged, drowned or electrocuted losing dogs.

Since Vick has not been convicted of any crime, Nike left open the door to resume its business relationship with the star player if he’s acquitted. The company already had decided to suspend release of his fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V.

“We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen in the United States,” the Nike statement said. “Therefore, we have not terminated our relationship.”

Vick signed with Nike in 2001, the same year Atlanta chose him as the NFL’s No. 1 overall draft pick. He led the Falcons to the NFC title game during the 2004 season and last year became the first quarterback in league history to rush for 1,000 yards.

Vick is barred from the Falcons’ training camp while the league investigates his actions for possible violations of its new personal conduct policy. He is set for trial Nov. 26 and faces up to five years in prison.

The case began April 25 when investigators conducting a drug search at a massive home Vick built in rural Virginia found 66 dogs, including 55 pit bulls, and equipment typically used in dogfighting. They included a “rape stand” that holds aggressive dogs in place for mating and a “break-stick” used to pry open a dog’s mouth.

PETA – People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – called off its planned protest at a dozen Niketown stores across the country next week.

“Regardless of Vick’s guilt or innocence in a court of law, the facts in this case clearly support this decision,” PETA said. “No company wants a spokesperson with a massive illegal dogfighting ring operating on his property, regardless of his level of involvement.”

The Humane Society of the United States said the companies couldn’t ignore the overwhelming opposition to having any association with Vick. He said some 165,000 e-mails were sent to Nike through the group’s Web site.

“I think there’s a direct relationship,” said Wayne Pacelle, president of the HSUS.

There was no immediate response from the Vick camp.