Michigan's partnership with Air Jordan is beating Ohio State in the apparel race

Submitted by Maizen on

You're seeing more and more not-so-subtle reminders from Ohio State about its partnership with LeBron James because the Buckeyes have to have an answer for what Michigan is doing with its newly-signed agreement with the Air Jordan brand. 

When Michigan's agreement with the Jordan brand was announced last August, I wrote that college football's biggest rivalry could turn into Jordan vs. LeBron. That's actually happening right now. 

And Jordan is winning.

You can pretend all of this doesn't matter. That's been the preferred defense tactic for Ohio State fans. 

You can say, "It's weird that Michigan has a basketball player on its football uniforms." That's another popular one. 

But if you're saying those things, you're wrong. So wrong it hurts.  

Jim Harbaugh hit a home run that still hasn't landed yet when he spearheaded Michigan's partnership with Jordan. Michigan is continually winning the day, as it's been smart about keeping the Jordan stuff relevant by spreading out the news regarding new gear releases, the official uniform reveal and Jordan himself being an honorary captain. 

Ohio State has noticed what's going on up there. Which is why Ohio State's public relations/social media team has started responding directly to Michigan's momentum. 

 

There's a luster with the Jordan brand that not even LeBron -- fresh off that warm-and-fuzzy NBA title in Cleveland -- can match. Kids today may relate more directly to LeBron because he's playing right now, but the Jordan gear is unquestionably the elite sub-brand of Nike. 

When Ohio State walked into their Hyatt Place for fall camp on Sunday, Marshon Lattimore was wearing Air Jordan retro 4s and Dontre Wilson was wearing Air Jordan retro 11s. They weren't the only Buckeyes wearing Jordans.

Nobody was wearing LeBron's shoes. 

 

The biggest misconception about Jordans is that they're just shoes. No, they're a status symbol. They're rare, they're noticeable and they're collectors items. There's a cult following that simply doesn't exist for across the board for LeBron's brand yet. 

http://www.cleveland.com/osu/index.ssf/2016/08/michigans_beating_ohio_state_i.html#incart_river_index

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ScruffyTheJanitor

August 10th, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^

But we are mortal enemies. Back when I was "IhatSECFans," dude straight up copied my avatar for his use. It's why I became ScruffyTheJanitor. I have been slowly plotting revenge, waiting for the right time to ruin his life and wreck his chance at happiness, long after this, the most insignifigant slight of all time, should have been forgotten.

Joined: 02/03/2011

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SBo

August 10th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^

The differences are huge. Nike made Oregon. This Jordan Football endeavor is working because of Michigan. Michigan-Jordan is a mutual improvement of brands. It represents excellence.

Joined: 01/02/2016

MGoPoints: 12139

Hail-Storm

August 10th, 2016 at 10:56 AM ^

For years my only hope in the offseason was no news about Michigan, because any news could only mean an arrest, or some story about something bad.  

This last year, Michigan has been in the news cycle constantly, and it has been amazing. News about satelite camps and Michigan looking good in the end, Spring break trips that benefit students, Jordan branding and midnight release block parties, celebrating the signing of the stars. SEC media days? Better bring up Harbaugh and Michigan. It's been a non-stop string of positivity regarding the program. It's hard to believe that recruits don't or won't get a little caught up in all this attention to Michigan.

Obviously the last piece of the puzzle is performance on the field, but I truly think that Michigan has one of the top coaches and coaching staffs in the nation and top ten talent to go with it. I love this ride. Choo CHoo

Joined: 06/07/2010

MGoPoints: 9926

A Fan In Fargo

August 10th, 2016 at 11:09 AM ^

I honestly think ohio can worship Bron all they want. I don't see him getting another title. For surely won't get one next year with the Warriors team now. No, he's not in the same category as Jordan. Dude isn't a freak athlete, he is a freak of farging nature. Grown in a test tube or something and the desperate state of ohio found him. Look at the weirdos feet man. Something not right here.

Image result for Lebron James feet

Joined: 02/16/2014

MGoPoints: -9997722

CLord

August 10th, 2016 at 5:08 PM ^

Welp there goes any chance I'll ever buy Lebron shoes... Even if he was traded to the Pistons and won us 10 championships I could never own a pair of his shoes for every time I gazed upon them, the nightmarish image of this foot would always come to mind.  Perhaps if I was on a diet requiring I throw up once a day...

Joined: 09/11/2011

MGoPoints: -6342

CLord

August 10th, 2016 at 5:04 PM ^

"Natty C" is down there in the Bro dredges next to the State Axe guys, and the Bama fans yelling "Boom" in unison after one of their players lays a mediocre hit.  I'd rather stare at Lebron's deformed pinky toe for an hour rather than ever reading "natty C" on this blog again. Thank you.

Joined: 09/11/2011

MGoPoints: -6342

TESOE

August 10th, 2016 at 11:31 AM ^

naturally be inflated in the honeymoon of the change over.

Just sayin'...not sure that this means anything... besides it not meaning anything regardless.

Joined: 09/21/2009

MGoPoints: 8535

Heywood_Jablome

August 10th, 2016 at 11:57 AM ^

Dumb article with major click-bait title.  Guy didn't even provide any statistics, sales figures, etc. Just his own worthless opinion.  I want those 10 minutes of my life back.

Joined: 10/24/2015

MGoPoints: 1123

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 12:01 PM ^

I don't want this to sound super mean, but seriously? What happened to you guys?  You used to be proud and would win games. Now you are bragging about winning sponsership contests?

I'm not mad I just pity you.

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19