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

MGoBoard

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 12:31 PM ^

I used to come here to read and laugh at you. You guys have reached a new low today the funny thing is that you don't even see it.

MSU is a closer rival now, you guys haven't been anything since 1997 when you claimed half a title. 

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 12:46 PM ^

You mean you beat the worst Florida team to make a bowl game? Yeah, hang your hat on that...

 

You didn't have a poor showing, you got your ass kicked. Harbaugh has exactly 0 college championships, Meyer has 3 they aren't even in the same league. That loser couldn't win at Stanford with the greatest QB since Elway is Luck on your roster? Or is Peppers going to play (and suck at ) QB too?

 

Missing a loss in there, I think it was Utah. 

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19

Artie

August 10th, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^

I've never understand what you trolls (OSU, Michigan, otherwise) get out of going out of your way to poke at and rule up rival fanbases. That just screams insecurity. Instead of trying to be the big mean kid (in your mind), try heading to a therapist to figure out what went wrong in your childhood that made you who you are.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 04/23/2009

MGoPoints: 8126

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 12:54 PM ^

The best part about all of this is that you can't say jack shit, you've not beaten anyone. Your coach is a loser just like all of you. I can say without question you will all die of old age before you hoist the CFP trophy.  

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19

Wolverine Devotee

August 10th, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^

More like a job break.

Get a life. 

We have more wins than any program, more national titles than you, more B1G titles than you.

Our coach knows how to win. As evidenced by doubling a win total in year one. Sit back and get ready, bitch.

We're loaded.

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 31528

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^

Any time you want to compare W-2s let me know.

 

You mean those titles from before the civil war?  You really think beating a high school club team qualifies as a championship?

 

You're loaded with nothing, want to compare recruiting classes?  You have peppers playing everywhere and the only thing he can catch is an STD.

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19

TIMMMAAY

August 10th, 2016 at 1:46 PM ^

C'mon WD... it really sounds dumb to talk about how many national titles we have won, when almost all of them came before the BCS era (or even the AP era). You really should stop that, it isn't helping. I'm all for knocking down a dumb shit, mouth breathing OSU fan, but not that way.

Joined: 09/08/2008

MGoPoints: 56336

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 1:01 PM ^

No one wants to play?

 

How about a new game. Which fanbase thinks they are going to play for a championship this year whose coach has never even been to one?

1) Michigan

2)Tenn.

3)Meatchicken

4)Missagain

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19

GA1D

August 10th, 2016 at 1:11 PM ^

2-13. No, I'm really not. 

 

There are players on your team that weren't even born yet the last time you won a meaninful game.

Joined: 08/10/2016

MGoPoints: -19

misterpage

August 10th, 2016 at 2:54 PM ^

I agree it's been a long time, but The Football program is finally headed in the right direction.

If I recall correctly, Alabama had some down years before Nick arrived and he didn't take an NFL team to 3 NFC title games and a super bowl in 4 years lol.

Two botched coaching hires didn't help our situation, but to act like Harbaugh isn't a good coach is ridiculous.

Your argument is that he didn't win a national title with Andrew Luck??? Wow he sucks!! Lol gimme a break, Stanford hadn't been relevant for years before he took that job.

Urban Meyer didn't win one with what, 11 NFL draft picks last year?



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 09/10/2012

MGoPoints: 2466

mgoblue0970

August 10th, 2016 at 1:01 PM ^

Since we're "beating" OSU now, does that mean we can talk about things again?  Or do we still have to wait to beat MSU too?

Joined: 11/22/2008

MGoPoints: 18648

FrankMurphy

August 10th, 2016 at 1:12 PM ^

Does anyone else get annoyed with these stories about how Michigan is better than Ohio State in this or that meaningless thing in light of the fact that we've beaten them only twice in the past fifteen years? 

Joined: 08/19/2008

MGoPoints: 32326

2Blue4You

August 10th, 2016 at 1:24 PM ^

Thanks for visiting. I admire you for spending your lunch break on here enlightening us. Your confidence about comparing W2s means you are certainly successful and happy in life. Hats off to you Brutus.



Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad

Joined: 08/28/2008

MGoPoints: 4521

UNCWolverine

August 10th, 2016 at 3:12 PM ^

Even though Michigan/Jumpman apparel leads right now, there can't be another fanbase with a higher % of team gear owned than OSU. 

I went to the OSU/UF BCS championship game in Phoenix in January 2007 (my ex is a big gator fan/alum). I've posted my story about sneaking into that game at least twice now I think, but I digress. 

My favorite part about that entire weekend was seeing all of the sad buckeye fans in their gear at Sky Harbor airport the next morning. Feel free to pack something else next time. But honestly for some of them it's probably all that they own.

Joined: 10/06/2008

MGoPoints: 23283