In the same class as MJ - Aaron Keyer

In the same class as MJ - Aaron Keyer

As we talk about Michael Jordan as the greatest athlete of all time I tend to lean towards agreeing. What he did for the game of basketball and simply the sports world was and still is incredible. However, as we talk about him as the greatest athlete ever, the best marketing figure in sports history, and the most innovative when it comes to his sport, I can't help but think about one other athlete who has done the same if not more for his sport as well. There is only one athlete in our generation that has been as compelling, as innovative as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods. Before Tiger Woods won his first masters in 1997 golf was considered a fat, rich, white man's sport. Now, looking at the players on the PGA tour they all travel with personal trainers and fitness coaches. Tiger Woods completely changed the game of golf forever. According to Brandon Tucker, a columnist for GolfWorld.com, “solely due to having Tiger Woods do what he has done in golf, prize purses have increases 229% in his era.” The Player’s Championship purse has risen from 3.5 million dollars in 1996 to 8 million dollars this year. Tiger Woods has created a more fit look on the PGA tour, and created a new way to play the game of golf much like Michael Jordan did in the NBA.

Not only did he transcend the game on the course, he did the same things Michael did off the course. He is the first ever golfer to really become a poster boy for company’s. Nike, Gatorade, Rolex, Omega, Buick all used Tiger Woods to promote their product and like Michael Jordan, Tiger became so popular, Nike created an individual product for him. Just like the Jordan clothing line and shoes, Nike set up a separate line of golf apparel, hats and shoes with a TW logo for Tiger Woods.

Many will say that because of his off the field problems in 2010 Tiger will never be what Michael Jordan is, however many don’t remember Jordan had his own off the court problems with gambling and divorces. At one point in his career Michael Jordan six straight NBA Championships in seasons that he was in the league. Tiger Woods won four straight major championships, and also won seven out of eleven that he competed in. Although different in nature of their trade, Tiger Woods is the only athlete that can be and should ever be mentioned on the same level as Michael Jordan. 

Compared to MJ - Joey Durant

After the previous class session, the choice for a blog topic seems pretty obvious: Michael Jordan. Jordan was an iconic figure for the NBA, for sports marketing, and for the companies he would represent throughout his career. He single-handedly revolutionized sport marketing, taking Nike to the top of the athletic footwear world and being the first widely marketed athlete for consumer products. A question that no one addressed in class that I recall was could any previous player, before the major advertising age, have matched the level of greatness that MJ did? Bill Walton, a former NBA champion, was a hard working defensive minded player that may have been ideal for marketing to the blue collar workers of his time. Julius Irving, a high flying finisher around the rim known for a trademark afro hairstyle that could have been a perfect symbol for a rising black rights movement in his time. Even players in Jordan's era, such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Patrick Ewing could have had shot at being the iconic face like Jordan if Jordan never existed. Would they have had the same effect that MJ did on the world? What was it about Michael Jordan that allowed him to have such a tremendous impact? Just some food for thought from my own personal ideas that I have when trying to compare other great players to "His Airness". Looking forward to discussing this with everyone!

Joey Durant

Bobby Martin Played Football with no Legs

Danielle Miller asked me to post this video about Bobby Martin, a former football player from Dayton, Ohio that played with no legs (Here is the link on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpmC3t8NyTk). He was first string special teams and a second string Defense end. Danielle wrote: "I just feel that regardless of if you have a disability, if you have the heart and drive to play that you can!"

Michael Jordan - Marc Rodriguez

Michael Jordan is the most iconic sports figure of all-time. His greatness on the court was outdone only by his massive impact off the court. "Be like Mike" is a catchphrase coined during his reign as best NBA player that still holds true today. The Jordan brand carries tremendous value over a decade after Michael Jordan played his last NBA game. Releases of his highly anticipated shoes have even sparked violence, illustrating the outrageous demand for his latest product. The prevalence and success of his Hanes advertisements are is just one more example of the weight his endorsement carries to this day.

Michael Jordan is and always will be the greatest athlete of all-time. While many say he broke out at a time ripe for a sport marketing poster boy, his greatness would be undeniable in any generation. From clutch shots to gravity defying dunks, Jordan was as innovative as he was dominant during his era. The recent success of LeBron James has once again triggered Jordan comparisons, all of them unwarranted. LeBron may be the most gifted athlete to play any sport but he lacks the almost unexplainable "it" factor that made the world's eyes glued to the screen when Jordan took the court. Much of LeBron's success in endorsements would not have been possible if Jordan hadn't paved the way for the multi-million dollar marketing of athletes. Also, Jordan's class and professionalism would never have allowed him to commit a blatant faux pas like "The Decision".

Michael's understanding of creating and maintaining an image that would be globally embraced has allowed him to make the majority of his fortune during retirement. His brand will undoubtedly outlive the man himself and continue to generate millions of dollars every year. Comparisons to Michael Jordan suggest a lack of understanding of his one of a kind greatness that transcended more than just sport. Air Jordan is a living legend and his name will live forever.

The Jordan Effect Ryan Viselli

Now that I’m older when I think about Michael Jordan its difficult to think of him as just an athlete.  Now that he’s retired and stepped away from the game I see him as an icon to a generation.  Jordan is more than just an athlete, he is a brand and his brand is one of the most recognizable brands in the world.  Jordan is successful in every aspect he associates his name with.  He has single handedly made Nike into the brand that has taken over globally.  His own shoe with Nike called the Air Jordan and other apparels, the Jordan brand have grossed $2.6 billion for Nike (Johnson & Harrington, 1998). This number has steadily increased over time with Air Jordan brand being a staple in the shoe and athletic clothing industry.

The Jordan affect is all about the name he brings to the products.  Consumers are buying these products such as sneakers, clothes and underwear, along with seeing his movies and buying his video games because of the Jordan name and the persona that follows.  Jordan changed the way companies market their products associated with athletes.  He has opened the doors for current athletes such as Tiger Woods, Lebron James and Peyton Manning.  Athletes are reaping the benefits, in that companies want to market their product off the star power these athletes will bring.

Jordan knew that sports are a business and he cashed in on his talent and marketability.  Jordan was marketable because of his talent but also his demeanor on and off the court.  People want to see the competitive and passion side of an athlete in the sports atmosphere, but want a personable and humble individual outside the sports realm.  Jordan had all these qualities that helped him become successful.

I personally don’t think any athlete will ever be in the same talk as Jordan as the overall athlete.  He is a pioneer in the way athletes are perceived by society and media. I believe that Jordan is considered one of the best athletes of all time because of the affect he had not only in basketball but also in the sports world.  He is an icon that will always be remembered and the star that future athletes will look up to and want to emulate as professionals.

The Jordan Effect- Paxin Stern

                Will anybody ever be able to do what Michael Jordan did? This question runs through every basketball fan’s mind. Do Lebron James, or Kobe Bryant compare yet to Michael Jordan, will they ever? Debates happen around the world over this topic. In my mind, nobody will ever be able to match what Jordan did throughout his years, and what he still continues to do. Sports fan or not, people have heard of Michael Jordan. You hear the name, and think of everything that he did. He led North Carolina to the NCAA championship, won rookie of the year, was 6 time world champion, and was the MVP of those 6 championships, along with much more in which he accomplished during his basketball career. The one thing people can pinpoint as a minor “failure” in his life, would be when he attempted a baseball career. But, people don’t think of that, they think of the greatness in which he achieved on the court. However, he’s not playing on the court anymore; he is still making his mark. He is easily identified with Nike, with his Jumpman. But, aside from basketball, he is identified in the Hanes commercials, in movies, as well as having his own cologne.  What he has done, on the court and off the court, in my mind is something that could never be repeated by anybody. He is an icon, known by everybody. His greatness on the court, is what made basketball what it is today. The skills that he had and the passion that he played with is something that sets him apart from everybody else. In my opinion, no athlete will have the same effect on the world has Michael Jordan had. One may come close, but Jordan will forever be the greatest of all time.

Can Anyone Match Michael Jordan? - Geoff Roberts

Who is the greatest athlete of all time?  It is pretty easy to find yourself in this debate.  People have debated this since the advent of sport.  Undoubtedly you will hear names like Ruth, Ali, Gretzky, and most importantly, Jordan.  I believe Michael Jordan is the best and most prolific athlete that there has ever been.  He led the Chicago Bulls to an unbelievable number of championships. I grew up watching Michael Jordan dominate.  I was never a Bulls fan because I have always been a devoted Detroit Pistons fan but I did marvel at Jordan.  I played basketball growing up because my dad was a coach.  I wanted to be just like him (and when Space Jam came out, forget about it, I was hooked).   

Despite his on court success though, I think the number one thing that propels him into the number 1 athlete spot is the polarizing effect that he has off of the court.  I grew up not only watching Michael Jordan play basketball, I also grew up watching the spectacle that is everything Jordan endorses.  Hanes, Gatorade and Nike were always the big three.  Hanes still features Michael Jordan in commercials, Nike still uses the iconic Air Jordan logo and shoes to make intensely amazing profits, and Gatorade is probably the only company that doesn't directly use images of Jordan anymore.

The bottom line is that all of the prior listed athletes are extremely prolific in their respective sports.  However, no one quite makes as much of an impact like Jordan.  Jordan has the capability to be seen in everyday life still, almost a decade since the last time he picked up a basketball on an NBA court.  To me, that is the most important aspect of Jordan being the most prolific athlete.  I don't think Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or anyone else will ever come close to having that kind of pull.