Super Bowl Commercials: Skechers Ad Doesn't Deserve Criticism for Dog Racing

Skechers debuted its new Super Bowl ad on television (it was available online for days leading up to the event) for the first time last night, and it caused quite a stir.

The 30-second spot entitled “Mr. Quiggly” shows the title character, a French bulldog, wearing Skechers’ new GOrun sneakers and lining up in the starting gate of a greyhound race.

Mr. Quiggly ends up winning the whole thing in style, moonwalking in to Tone Loc’s “Wild Thing” and it’s supposedly a credit to the shoes. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban makes a cameo at the end, incredulous that the dog wants a new contract.

It’s a funny spot and anyone who has a problem with it needs to get over it.

Liz Spear over at the Manhattan Beach Patch reported that Twitter blew up after the advertisement aired and recorded the reactions from a ton of people.

Take a look at one of these crazy opinions.

JacqHoward: "Rumor has it, #Skechers' next commercial is being filmed at a pitbull fighting ring. Why not? #Boycott #Skechers #Adopt_a_Greyhound"

This guy has to be joking. Showing greyhound racing, like it or not a part of culture and legal in many states, is not equivalent to fighting pit bulls. Not even close.

miflan: "Boycotting #skechers for #greyhound racing? Then boycott beer for Clydesdale commercials, too. #idiotic"

Finally, someone makes sense on Twitter concerning this commercial.

It’s seriously not a big deal at all that the shoe company lightheartedly displayed a greyhound race. It was nothing more than that. 

Sketchers simply wanted to show that their running shoes can make even a French bulldog outrun the fastest dogs, which in turn means they should make you really fast.

This harmless ad does not deserve the type of criticism it is receiving and hopefully people get a life and drop the “controversy” soon.