OK, so I'm not going to give you a hard tine on Nike as much anymore, you have folks who work there (or will) and I've been operating under the assumption that you (like those illogical Nike fanboys) are still operating under the delusions that Spike Lee is still making Nike commercials, Michael Jordan is still competing in slam dunk competitions, and Bo Jackson is still walking around smoothly and painlessly.
I'm not sure your point on Michigan, which moved to Nike in 2016, I believe. As for those other universities, I don't even know what to say. They may be geographically diverse, but those three universities are either occasional one-sport wonders or don't have a strong brand/sell lots of merch. When you say "buyer's remorse", I just don't see it. Could adidas be doing BETTER if Miami was stomping out ACC football teams like the old days? Sure. But as I pointed out, adidas has been making TO Chain gear and selling it like crazy, that is just an opportunity that wasn't planned in the contract. If adidas is nimble and jumps on the train when Miami makes some ACC runs for football and hoops, they will be fine.
As for UM colorways, why did I have to buy my Crazy Explosives and Alphabounce from AllCanes? Why doesn't adidas release that stuff wider? That's on adidas. Not every UM fan has had an account at AllCanes for 30 years like I've had.
Miami needs a good, strong 3-4 years to convert HS age kids into UM fans for life. UM can end the cycle of mediocrity in the Coastal, there is nothing stopping us from 4 consecutive ACC-CG appearances (and we might even beat Clemson this year with some Covid-19 assistance). Hoops should be in good shape for the next 4 years too, now that the ADIDAS-CREATED cloud is behind us.
If adidas wants to sell more, then they need to drop evidence of Nike's wrongdoing and get some of Nike's flagships put on NCAA probation.
Anyhow, all respect to you, Relly, I may not have the time, money, or desire that is comparable to your level, but I do admire and respect your knowledge in this area.
Miami needs to win more games and sell more merch. adidas needs to take responsibility for their mistakes and adjust their expectations.
I honestly believe that adidas is in the same boat with Officer Candidate Zack Mayo...
And u should know, no bull chit, I have the utmost respect for you as an alum and a guy who’s followed this program longer than I’ve been alive.
Shoes, fashion....that’s my arena. My connection to Nike started young being that Nike used to help my little league basketball team and was the first sponsor to give my high school, a school in the hood, our 1st big time sponsorship. We used to rock Karl Kani shoes (which were uncomfortable af). Byron Scott, who is an alum of my high school, made some calls and Nike came through, refinished our black top courts, our gym, and gave us fresh unis. They later did the same for our cross town rivals which is also in the hood.
It later expanded when my ex girl took on an internship w them and worked at their Beverly Hills Store. So I’ve been personally connected to them for a while. I saw the behind the scenes and their investment in youth sports. Adidas JUST got on this train w/ King’s vision for Adidas America, and his aggressiveness led to a resurgence of Adidas, but I was a little weary and leery when he abruptly stepped down (then all the impermissible benefits chit started coming out).
My point w our current sponsorship is we were promised to be their flagship; That means a lot. It means we are supposed to be first priority, and it felt like that initially; now, not so much. I’m not & have not been a fan of their fan jerseys compared to Nike. And, to your point, it’s been very difficult to find our colorway shoes.
You can go to Michigan’s blogs (and the only reason I know about Michigan’s contentious relationship w/ Adidas towards the last 3 yrs of their deal is b/c my baby cousin was attending there at that time & was dating/married to one of the Michigan Bloggers). Michigan was supposed to be Adidas’ flagship, as well, and then Michigan wasn’t delivering like they hoped. Players were complaining that the jerseys were ripping and Michigan couldn’t wear their 2013 Blue & Yellow road jerseys b/c Adidas wasn’t supplying them. They had to wear older jerseys which were easily spotted due to holes/ worn stitching. Adidas was forced to send out a tweet stating they had more gear.
I get frustrated seeing these Nike/Jordan Branded schools coming out w/ these colorways and exclusive shoes. Miami Yeezy’s????! That will absolutely murder the game, yet we don’t get that love. Adidas is up in ASU’s *** b/c of James Harden, and UDub is getting the love we were supposed to get. I get it; it’s a big deal stepping into the Northwest & prying away a school in the heart of Nike world, but WE are that brand.
With all that being said, we gotta stop just collecting checks. We need to have sponsors, and these kids respecting us. I’m hoping starting in 2020, we rejuvenate our rep and everything else will fall in line.