The Wolverine

  INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS for the school's 27 varsity teams, an average of $11.3 million per year. At the time it was known that the basketball program would be privy to some of the Jordan Brand gear, but there was no word on football. On Aug. 13, Jordan himself took to Twitter with the video announce- ment. Cleveland.com's Ari Wasserman, who covers Ohio State, said the move would be a game-changer for the Wolverines. "On Dec. 20, 2014, I was inside the warm arena waiting for Ohio State basketball's game vs. North Carolina as part of the CBS Sports Classic, really annoyed that the lottery ticket I had that gave me the right to buy those Jordan shoes at retail price was going to waste," he said. "I wasn't in Columbus. But every single player on North Carolina's roster was wearing those shoes, ones that were comfortably placed in their lockers before the game. They got them for free, which is what you'd expect from the ulti- mate Jordan-brand school, the one at which Michael Jordan himself starred. "What an incredible perk for those Tar Heels, to get those shoes. No waiting, no hassle, no expensive bills. The best part: No games try- ing to navigate the crazy-expensive after-market prices. Those shoes, the most ruthless pair I've ever seen that retail for about $400, were theirs. "Again, Michigan has that ... and everything that comes along with being associated with the greatest winner sports has ever seen. The shoes, yes — It's always about the shoes — but the idea of having that perfect Jumpman logo stitched un- der the shoulder pad of every foot- ball jersey. Unreal. It's more than just shoes. It's the idea of being cool, of being the buzz king of apparel in college football. These aren't just shoes and Jordan isn't just a logo. There's a cult following, a love for ac- quiring and collecting those shoes." Former Michigan football standouts Charles Woodson and LaMarr Wood- ley, now in the NFL w i t h O a k l a n d a n d Arizona, respectively, both rep and wear the Jordan Jump- man brand for Nike. ESPN's Dar- ren Rovell said the move was made because "MJ himself called up Har- baugh and said he wanted to make it happen." Michigan has the ability to opt out of the Nike contract after 11 years. The deal, which starts next August, would be worth a total of $122.3 million if U-M declines the option years (2027-31). At this point, however, Michigan has what most believe is the best apparel deal of any college program, and interim athletic director Jim Hack- ett looks brilliant for having made it happen.

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