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Schumer to Adidas: Keep NBA jersey production in U.S.

By Tony Romm - 11/24/09 01:33 PM ET

The possibility that NBA uniforms for next year's season could be made in Asia has one New York Democrat furious and concerned over job losses.

After learning Adidas might shift all of its apparel production to Thailand — a move that could kill some domestic jobs at firms in New York — Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded the company reconsider its deal for the sake of the sport and the economy.

"It is flat wrong for Adidas to move the production of the jerseys worn by NBA players outside the United States when there are U.S. companies that have done this work so well for so long," Schumer said in a statement.

"And to do it in this economic climate adds insult to injury," he added. "The jerseys the NBA players wear should be made in the USA, plain and simple."

Schumer estimated the move could kill about 100 jobs at American Classic Outfitters — a Perry, N.Y., firm that has made NBA jerseys for about 40 years, he said. The senator plans to hold a press conference there later Tuesday afternoon to state his opposition to Adidas's decision.

"To do anything else is an insult to the American worker and sports fans everywhere in America," Schumer said.

Source:
http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/69323-schumer-to-adidas-keep-nba-jersey-production-in-us

Comments (12)

The true insult is the insult to our intelligence when Democrats attempt to shift the blame to companies trying to escape oppressive tax structures. Schumer is sadly mistaken if he thinks this will be the only company that tries to cut its losses if things keep progressing the way they have. Oh wait, has Schumer forgotten that his party's motto is "government creates jobs"? So, private companies that are over-burdened by government interference and seek other avenues shouldn't have any effect on the job situation, right?BY Lyndsay on 11/24/2009 at 13:59
Sorry Chucky baby… all your massive taxes and government take over of more and more of the American free enterprise are an insult to the American worker!BY JLC on 11/24/2009 at 14:00
Should have been yelling about that years ago when NAFTA went thru. [***] they don't even make our military uniforms here any more. Nor thier boots. I believe there is only one company left that makes American flags. Keep taxing fool. When are you people going to wake and see the people don't have anymore money because our government wasted it all.BY john on 11/24/2009 at 14:56
It was flat wrong for you cluckie schummmmmmmmer to be an accomplice to killing the housing industry, the banking industry, the auto industry and healthcare. clukie schummmmmmer I hope and pray New Yorkers wake up to your lies and devious destruction of the United States and throw your geister out of New York and th united States of America Senate.BY jake2 on 11/24/2009 at 15:28
I think the posters on this board are the naive ones. There will always be foreign companies and workers out there willing to undercut American wages, standard of living, expectations of decent working conditions, etc. Taxing has nothing to do with it. Schumer is right to bring the issue up, and the NBA should quickly rectify the situation by stating that it won't allow it's players to wear jerseys made elsewhere. It's not that hard.BY James on 11/24/2009 at 15:31
Time for you to wake up JAMES, companies, like water will always seek the path of less resistance. In the case of companies, they have to make a profit to remain in business and when oppressive taxes start hurting, companies can either move to the place of lower taxes or go bankrupt. Thanks to chunky shuuuuuummmmer, and his liberal, tax and spend cronies in both NY and DC, one of our chief exports lately has become jobs by companies just trying to stay in business.BY Stang52 on 11/24/2009 at 16:00
Under obasma and the democrats doon we won't have an NBA. NFL, GOLF TOURNAMENTS, TENNIS TOURAMENT. There will not be Professional athethics just marxists.BY Jake2 on 11/24/2009 at 16:03
Dr. Lester Thurow, former dean of MIT's School of Management once said "If someone in another country will do your job for half your salary, you are overpaid." So the key is to be more productive, changing the part of the equation where that "someone" can do your job. That takes investment in equipment and training. As a small business owner I am painfully familiar with the roadblocks to investment. Would I open a shop in NY? Not on your life! The tax rates are insane, the liability laws are worse. I buy American whenever I can, but my state has given a tax break to my direct foreign competitor so they could open a plant and compete with me! My tax dollars are being used to put me out of business and my employees on the unemployment line.BY Jimmy Knuckles on 11/24/2009 at 16:46
If Chuckie Shumer can donate a sizeable portion of his salary for me to stay in NYC and make these uniforms here, I will reconsider. Obama and Congress might as well get in on that act.Let's get this straight we got money to pay Kobe $30 million a year, Shaq and LeBron several tens of millions a year but you can't keep me here making uniforms for them.Thai people treated me much betterBY Lou Dobbs on 11/24/2009 at 22:57
Why is the senior senator from New York so upset. It is the policy of the Democratic to raise taxes on the sussesful businesses. Since Adidas already did the math, they can be more successful outsourcing their product overseas. If by some magical means, the senior senator from New York is lucky enough to have Adidas reconsider, I hope that when they reconsider, the move the production down south and out of New York. At least he will have his wish that the uniforms be made in America.BY Bob on 11/25/2009 at 04:14

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