Team USA is on top of the world following an Olympic record of eight consecutive gold-medal finishes. Nike, an affiliate of the U.S. national team, released its latest advertisement celebrating the Women's Team's historic accomplishment.
"It's inspiring when we think about it," a narrator says. "Every four years, teams come from around the world to compete... for second place."
According to four-year WNBA veteran Temi Fagbenle, Nike's approach falls under tacky and distasteful.
'I'm baffled as to why bragging like this is being celebrated," Fever center Fagbenle wrote in a comment under Complex's Instagram post of Nike's video. "Doesn't matter if it's true - we all have seen the U.S. dominate for the past however many decades. This is in such poor taste."
Team USA beat France for its 61st consecutive Olympic victory. Such a feat warrants celebration, but to rub other nations' faces in it seems below Team USA's greatness. However, Nike is typically ahead of the course regarding marketing strategies, but criticism from a current professional athlete also deserves attention.
Nike's Team USA commercial points in favor of the massive retail giant as the video has accumulated over 17 million views.
Sports is a realm of braggadocious behavior, especially in the WNBA and NBA. However, at the international level, although serious and, at times, toxic, the sentiment is more of a respectful environment, at least regarding sportsmanship.
Conversely, it's only a commercial; frankly, Nike didn't promote misinformation, as Team USA is the ultimate basketball team in Women's sports.