Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino, style icon? Not exactly. Abercrombie & Fitch is offering the Jersey Shore star big bucks not to wear its clothing. The teen retailer has offered a “substantial payment” to Sorrentino “to wear an alternate brand" because of the company's "deep concern" that the Situation "could cause significant damage to our image," says a company statement, which did not detail the odious specifics of its concerns. "We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans,” the statement adds.
Money has also been offered to other cast members not to wear the clothing, but Sorrentino regularly sports the brand. He frequently lifts his shirt on the reality program to show off his abs, and often reveals the Abercrombie & Fitch logo on his underwear when he does. He was also wearing bright green Abercrombie & Fitch sweatpants on the latest episode of Jersey Shore in Florence. The company statement says executives are “urgently awaiting a response.” (More Jersey Shore stories.)