Smart Talk: Penn State’s relationship with Nike; Drunk driving over St. Patrick’s Day weekend

What to look for on Smart Talk Thursday, March 13, 2014:

Nike is one of the most iconic brands in America. It’s swoosh logo is probably recognized by 99% of the adult population.

A few of Nike’s advertising campaigns for its athletic shoes are considered classics, including the “Bo Knows” campaign featuring former Heisman Trophy winner and two-sport star Bo Jackson or anything having to do with basketball superstar Michael Jordan.

Nike is based in Oregon on what it calls a campus. Many describe the Nike culture as unique.

Nike also supplies the uniforms, gear, and shoes to all of Penn State University’s athletic teams. That and millions of dollars go to State College in return.

How much is the deal worth? The public doesn’t know because Penn State is exempt from Pennsylvania’s right-to-know laws.

The Lancaster Intelligencer Journal, New Era, and Sunday News recently published a series on Nike’s relationship with Penn State. Reporters Gil Smart and Mike Gross appear on Thursday’s Smart Talk to discuss their findings.

To read the “Swoosh State” series, follow the links below:

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/swoosh-state-penn-state-s-lucrative-contract-with-nike-remains/article_51ddcc8e-a482-11e3-867b-001a4bcf6878.html

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/how-many-nike-swooshes-can-you-squeeze-onto-a-penn/article_b2df96a4-a54d-11e3-aba0-001a4bcf6878.html

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/state-secrets-why-psu-remains-exempt-from-most-open-records/article_58868ffe-a611-11e3-afb0-001a4bcf6878.html

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/junkets-joepa-and-phil-knight-why-penn-state-s-relationship/article_f5a6ae1e-a66a-11e3-83c3-0017a43b2370.html

http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/deal-between-penn-state-and-nike-isn-t-a-bad/article_dac07208-a6e5-11e3-af88-0017a43b2370.html

http://lancasteronline.com/news/investigations/why-penn-state-s-brand-is-one-of-the-most/article_fe6d82b8-a488-11e3-8824-001a4bcf6878.html

Also, we’ll hear from the Pennsylvania DUI Association on plans to reduce drunk driving over this weekend that leads up to St. Patrick’s Day.

Listen to the program:

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