Go, Adidas, Go! As someone who wore Adidas in high school track and cross country, at a time before Nike had really launched, I am very happy for this company. I used to love wearing those stripes and even had Adidas warmups. It is good someone is giving Nike some good competition. For too long, Nike took the American market for granted.
Interesting column. I do think Miller is a little delusional. He considers the title game a four hour Adidas commercial. I'll bet half of the viewers won't even notice the show logos.
Agree. It’s been my observation over the years that within Nike and adidas these events are huge for bragging rights and status within their companies and industry, but meaningless to the average viewer.
Thanks, John, for an excellent feature. The thoughts of this highly placed executive of a significant international company are most interesting.
From my own perspective I can say that I never bought an item of athletic apparel, shoes or otherwise, because of an association with an individual or team. But, I understand, you have to advertise.
I owned and operated a manufacturing company. I have been retired for some years. I can honestly say that I don't wake up in the morning wishing that I had sold a few more "widgets."
There are some things in life you must do and others you want to do. If you are fortunate enough, as I was, to put a few of the latter on the wall you should consider yourself blessed.
And OSU had to fire their coach, change direction and make a great hire in Coach Shephard. What did Oregon do?....they doubled down. What else can Phil Knight do except buy more players? It's the only thing he knows.
UO has been broken, alright. Expectations are too high simply because Nil Knight bought what he thought was the best professional team in NIL. Problem is money is not the most ingredient to winning. Heart and loyalty play a big part. Without it the PKs are just a bunch of hired hands looking to step up a grade to the NFL. He bought the Ducks but really needs to go full-on professional (NFL) and get out of the minor leagues.
As much as I abhor what has happened in the college football game today, I appreciate the interview with one of the players of that sad demise. We can thank him and a handful of other commercially-minded zealots for creating this absurd situation we all now must live with.
Nine career moves, I guess that's fairly normal in today's world. Wonder what his kids think? Then again, most of these guys don't think about their kids. Jonathan Smith left OSU while his kid was in the middle of a highly successful prep QB career at Crescent Valley. You can bet his voice wasn't heard at the dinner table.
I know two college assistant coaches, one now retired, both something like 12 jobs in 14 years. After like seven of these wouldn't you just want to get a high school job and put down roots?
He arrives at 6 am. What time does he go home? Does he expect his employees to keep the same hours he does (or more)? I don't know the guy, but something in his answers tells me I wouldn't want to work for him. And I'm usually the last person at the office.
He obviously has a great work ethic, which undoubtedly helped him do exceptionally well in his career. I’m sure the Nike and other large corporation CEO’s are all working a ton of hours and spending large amounts of time on the road. It just goes with the gig.
I live in a Navy town and my kid grew up here; watching friends go every year was hard. Talking with Navy parents is a real eye opener, especially the first time.
If you ever get a chance to be at a Navy retirement ceremony, go.
With the obvious media power of The triad of KNUO- Knight, Nike, & UO , it’s refreshing to give OSU alumni and Beaver Nation an option in their personal choice of sports apparel . As an OSU Beaver Alumn, I much prefer spending my money on Adidas sportswear , knowing a percentage does NOT go to support my Rival, UO…. Not to mention , my preference for the styling superiority of Adidas. Adidas and Indiana both will win the CFP !
I thought my son’s subscription automatically renewed but apparently it doesn’t. I sent in a renewal to you on Monday with a note to him renewing again for his birthday. This is third or fourth year. He hasn’t received anything yet. His name Bob Utti
Go, Adidas, Go! As someone who wore Adidas in high school track and cross country, at a time before Nike had really launched, I am very happy for this company. I used to love wearing those stripes and even had Adidas warmups. It is good someone is giving Nike some good competition. For too long, Nike took the American market for granted.
They make each other better? Or do the smaller entities biting around the edges of the marketshare make them better? Discuss.
Interesting column. I do think Miller is a little delusional. He considers the title game a four hour Adidas commercial. I'll bet half of the viewers won't even notice the show logos.
I wonder... about the tangible part of this. There's branding. Is it four hours worth? More about the overarching Adidas impact?
For him I think it's more about bragging rights. Don't think the "commercial" or "branding" value is that significant.
Agree. It’s been my observation over the years that within Nike and adidas these events are huge for bragging rights and status within their companies and industry, but meaningless to the average viewer.
I was thinking the same thing. I think half is generous.
Thanks, John, for an excellent feature. The thoughts of this highly placed executive of a significant international company are most interesting.
From my own perspective I can say that I never bought an item of athletic apparel, shoes or otherwise, because of an association with an individual or team. But, I understand, you have to advertise.
I owned and operated a manufacturing company. I have been retired for some years. I can honestly say that I don't wake up in the morning wishing that I had sold a few more "widgets."
There are some things in life you must do and others you want to do. If you are fortunate enough, as I was, to put a few of the latter on the wall you should consider yourself blessed.
I was very interested to hear from Miller.
Exactly, never bought sports gear based on any person/team. The only Nikes I own were given to me, second hand.
Were the shoes any good?
Pretty good but I was never a high intensity athlete, so never needed high dollar shoes.
Still have 'em .... of course, I used to wear work boots everyday!
"Indiana broke Oregon."
John Miller smiles at the thought.
" Sam Houston broke Oregon State"
And OSU had to fire their coach, change direction and make a great hire in Coach Shephard. What did Oregon do?....they doubled down. What else can Phil Knight do except buy more players? It's the only thing he knows.
ouch! but still funny!
UO has been broken, alright. Expectations are too high simply because Nil Knight bought what he thought was the best professional team in NIL. Problem is money is not the most ingredient to winning. Heart and loyalty play a big part. Without it the PKs are just a bunch of hired hands looking to step up a grade to the NFL. He bought the Ducks but really needs to go full-on professional (NFL) and get out of the minor leagues.
I think there's a lot of investing going on... not sure on the return in some places.
Orange is still smiling at the thought.
As much as I abhor what has happened in the college football game today, I appreciate the interview with one of the players of that sad demise. We can thank him and a handful of other commercially-minded zealots for creating this absurd situation we all now must live with.
Nine career moves, I guess that's fairly normal in today's world. Wonder what his kids think? Then again, most of these guys don't think about their kids. Jonathan Smith left OSU while his kid was in the middle of a highly successful prep QB career at Crescent Valley. You can bet his voice wasn't heard at the dinner table.
I know two college assistant coaches, one now retired, both something like 12 jobs in 14 years. After like seven of these wouldn't you just want to get a high school job and put down roots?
He arrives at 6 am. What time does he go home? Does he expect his employees to keep the same hours he does (or more)? I don't know the guy, but something in his answers tells me I wouldn't want to work for him. And I'm usually the last person at the office.
He obviously has a great work ethic, which undoubtedly helped him do exceptionally well in his career. I’m sure the Nike and other large corporation CEO’s are all working a ton of hours and spending large amounts of time on the road. It just goes with the gig.
I feel for the kids who are friends with the kids who leave town over and over.
Interesting case study would be followup on kids of coaches and what they think.
I have talked with friends and neighbors of coaches who say their own kids take it very hard when friends leave.
I live in a Navy town and my kid grew up here; watching friends go every year was hard. Talking with Navy parents is a real eye opener, especially the first time.
If you ever get a chance to be at a Navy retirement ceremony, go.
That was enlightening, John. The other John has a certain tendency while speaking, right?
John ,
With the obvious media power of The triad of KNUO- Knight, Nike, & UO , it’s refreshing to give OSU alumni and Beaver Nation an option in their personal choice of sports apparel . As an OSU Beaver Alumn, I much prefer spending my money on Adidas sportswear , knowing a percentage does NOT go to support my Rival, UO…. Not to mention , my preference for the styling superiority of Adidas. Adidas and Indiana both will win the CFP !
Go Hoosiers and Go Adidas !
New Balance gives a better bang for the athletic shoe buck, in my opinion, than either Nike or Adidas. Give them a try sometime.
Nike might have cut a deal to tattoo their swish on the outside of each of his ankles. They would have come up with something I’m sure. :)
He forgot his best athlete….Brock Purdy. 😊
I think these shoe execs need to step back a little and realize the vast majority of people couldn’t care less what each team wears.
Seriously, WGAF?
I like Puma. Just saying. 🙂
Puma making a comeback?
Adidas follows the Just Do It philosophy.
You got this.
I thought my son’s subscription automatically renewed but apparently it doesn’t. I sent in a renewal to you on Monday with a note to him renewing again for his birthday. This is third or fourth year. He hasn’t received anything yet. His name Bob Utti
Beverly... on it.
I like the ambition.
Now it's, "I've been fired/downsized/eliminated."