Friday, November 6, 2009
The Brilliance of Nike
Just when I think that Wieden and Kennedy can't be any more brilliant, then they go and concoct this.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Air Jordan Flap Deflating for UCF
News emerged last night that with one simple, selfish act of disobedience in his first college basketball game, Marcus Jordan cost the University of Central Florida a future sponsorship deal with their current partner, adidas.
The flap began when Marcus, son of NBA legend Michael, said that he planned to wear Air Jordans (made by adidas rival Nike) to honor his family's legacy, a move that he claims UCF had committed to in the recruiting process. The only problem is that the school has an exclusive $3 million six-year contract with the German-born shoe company that requires all of the Golden Knights' coaches and athletes to use adidas's shoes, apparel and game equipment.
"When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus Jordan told reporters. "They said they had talked to the adidas people, and it wasn't going to be a problem. I think everybody understands how big of a deal it is for my family."
Well, apparently it was a problem. Marcus Jordan sported white Air Jordans during his first exhibition game last night and soon after, adidas made their decision.
While I sort of understand Marcus wanting to honor his family's legacy and bear the shoe that his father made famous, it only makes sense to the point that his decision doesn't affect anyone else. And in this case, it has affected everyone in the UCF athletic department. Sure, there are other shoe and clothing companies (Nike comes to mind) that UCF could sign with in the future. But couldn't Jordan have honored his family's legacy in another way, by either wearing the clothes around campus or during pick-up games? And frankly, does Michael even care?
Promise or not, Marcus Jordan displayed a bizarre sense of entitlement for an 18-year-old freshman who is famous only for his father's basketball legacy, not his own.
The flap began when Marcus, son of NBA legend Michael, said that he planned to wear Air Jordans (made by adidas rival Nike) to honor his family's legacy, a move that he claims UCF had committed to in the recruiting process. The only problem is that the school has an exclusive $3 million six-year contract with the German-born shoe company that requires all of the Golden Knights' coaches and athletes to use adidas's shoes, apparel and game equipment.
"When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus Jordan told reporters. "They said they had talked to the adidas people, and it wasn't going to be a problem. I think everybody understands how big of a deal it is for my family."
Well, apparently it was a problem. Marcus Jordan sported white Air Jordans during his first exhibition game last night and soon after, adidas made their decision.
While I sort of understand Marcus wanting to honor his family's legacy and bear the shoe that his father made famous, it only makes sense to the point that his decision doesn't affect anyone else. And in this case, it has affected everyone in the UCF athletic department. Sure, there are other shoe and clothing companies (Nike comes to mind) that UCF could sign with in the future. But couldn't Jordan have honored his family's legacy in another way, by either wearing the clothes around campus or during pick-up games? And frankly, does Michael even care?
Promise or not, Marcus Jordan displayed a bizarre sense of entitlement for an 18-year-old freshman who is famous only for his father's basketball legacy, not his own.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Fox roots for ratings, not teams
Heard an interesting conversation while listening to WFAN's Joe Beningo and Evan Roberts the other day, then read a great piece by Richard Sandomir in the NY Times today about the same topic.
It seems that some New York fans believe that the Fox announcing team of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver hate the Yankees. Of course, anyone might feel that way if all you know is John Sterling and Micheal Kay, two of biggest homers (and hacks) I've ever heard in the broadcast booth. But I digress ...
The bottom line is that all Fox cares about is seeing a compelling, competitive baseball series in late October - a series that will draw in ratings, in other words. Because for the last several years, the Fall Classic (and hence, the ratings) has stunk. The 2009 World Series is the first to go to a Game 6 since 2003. The last five included three sweeps, and didn't feature the best teams in each respective league squaring off in the finale.
So while I find it dubious that McCarver and Buck were anything but objective in their broadcast, who can blame them for wanting to see the two best teams in Major League Baseball extend their dual for another couple games?
It seems that some New York fans believe that the Fox announcing team of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver hate the Yankees. Of course, anyone might feel that way if all you know is John Sterling and Micheal Kay, two of biggest homers (and hacks) I've ever heard in the broadcast booth. But I digress ...
The bottom line is that all Fox cares about is seeing a compelling, competitive baseball series in late October - a series that will draw in ratings, in other words. Because for the last several years, the Fall Classic (and hence, the ratings) has stunk. The 2009 World Series is the first to go to a Game 6 since 2003. The last five included three sweeps, and didn't feature the best teams in each respective league squaring off in the finale.
So while I find it dubious that McCarver and Buck were anything but objective in their broadcast, who can blame them for wanting to see the two best teams in Major League Baseball extend their dual for another couple games?
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