Response to Andreia's " Sporting 'gods' "

An athlete is an amazing marketing tool. As you said, sport superstars are idolized by their fans. Many devote themselves to a team and/or player, believing in them team through thick and thin. These athletes are loved so much that fans just simply have to have whatever they are endorsing. A great example is Tom Brady’s “TB12” hat. 

Tom Brady, New England Patriot’s Quarter Back, and my sport “god” was seen wearing a hat with a logo that combines his initials TB and his jersey number 12. Patriot fans went wild, we had to have that hat! The desire for the hat grew even stronger when Mark Wahlberg wore the TB12 hat on an episode of Entourage that featured both himself and Tom Brady.

It turned out that Brady was only wearing the hat to promote his website tombrady.com and the hat would not be sold to the public. That didn’t stop any fans, however, as many had the hat replicated. Fans will go through great lengths to support their favorite athlete. Wearing a hat devoted to Brady, was the ultimate piece of clothing for any Patriot fan.

Companies are well aware of the commitment fans feel toward athletes, and like the TB12 hat, have created clothing lines dedicated to one player. Nike is probably the greatest example. Nike has sponsored tennis “god”, Rodger Federer’s own clothing line, and who could ever forget Jordans, after the great Michael Jordan, which are still popular today. Among the many other athletes Nike sponsors, the commercial ads for Kobe Bryant’s new Nike line Kobe VII System, have become viral. In my favorite ad, there is absolutely no mention of the product itself, instead this pull advertisement intrigues the consumer, and the acting skills of Kobe and Kanye West add a comedic touch. 

If you’re wondering why Kanye West would be in a Nike commercial, you may be surprised to know that Nike also sponsors West. Nike has created “Air Yezzy”, taking the rappers nick-name. In other words, Nike created a shoe devoted to a non-athlete! Ultimately, companies realize the profit made by having an idol’s name on a piece of clothing.

Here's a link to the Kobe/Kanye Commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqEJbfwr32M