Arizona mayor breaks with governor, says her city will honor deal with Nike

The mayor of an Arizona city said Tuesday that financial incentives promised to Nike by her city will be honored as the company faces backlash from conservatives — including Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) — for pulling a sneaker featuring a Betsy Ross flag. 

Georgia Lord, the mayor of Goodyear, said Tuesday that the city will uphold its commitment to Nike, saying that she expects the company’s decision to locate a manufacturing plant there will create 500 jobs, according to a video posted by the Arizona Republic. 

{mosads}“This deal is expected to bring more than 500 jobs and significant investment to our city,”Lord said Tuesday, referring to a unanimous decision by the city council reached Monday. “We will honor the commitment we made in our agreement.”

The city, which is less than 20 miles from Phoenix, agreed to waive up to $1 million in fees and reimburse the company for another $1 million for the jobs that are created, the Arizona Republic reported.

Goodyear has reportedly estimated that the plant will result in $7.7 million in direct revenue for the city.  

The Wall Street Journal reported this week that Nike decided not to release the show with a Ross-designed flag after former NFL player Colin Kaepernick raised concerns that it could be seen as offensive due to its connection to an era of slavery. 

The move prompted Ducey to direct the Arizona’s commerce authority to pull its financial incentives for Nike. 

He tweeted that the company was bowing “to the current onslaught of political correctness and historical revisionism.”

Nike told The Hill in a statement on Tuesday that it decided to halt distribution of the Ross shoes “based on concerns that it could unintentionally offend and detract from the nation’s patriotic holiday.” 

It added that it is “proud of its American heritage.”