“If you have a body, you are an athlete.” Those were the words of Nike’s co-founder Bill Bowerman. This business man helped create one of the largest sports mega corporations in the world and nearly everywhere you go, you will see the famous Nike symbol. At one time it was so popular people were getting Nike tattoos. Nike is all things sports and they currently have a stronghold in every major sport. They sponsor college sports teams, sell millions of dollars worth of clothing a year, and have sold more shoes with the initials “MJ” than most other companies sell all shoes combined. They sponsor other major athletes as well; Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods, and Derek Jeter. In sports, Nike has realized that there are endless ways to reach fans and one new way they are reaching out to fans is by marketing one of the most charismatic fighters in the UFC. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson is filming a commercial with Nike titled “Human Chain.” Jackson isn’t the first MMA star to be apart of a Nike commercial as Randy Couture and his famous cauliflower ear was the first to be part of a Nike ad campaign.
“Human Chain” will be an advertisement that will focus on a true athlete’s ability to pick themselves up after defeat, but Rampage will not be in this commercial alone. He will be joined by the king himself, Lebron James, as well as other sports superstars. One of the things Rampage is known for is his huge chain that he wears as he enters and leaves the octagon. Is it a coincidence that he wears a chain and the name of the commercial is “Human Chain”? We will all have to see when the advertisement finally airs.
This is not the first time that a MMA athlete has been the recipient of a big time showcase. In October of 2007 rising star Roger Huerta was the first UFC fighter to grace the cover of the famous Sports Illustrated. The popular sports magazine showcased Huerta and did a great article about him. Not only did this give Huerta and his undefeated run in the UFC, it opened the door for other opportunities such as interviews with ESPN.
The sport of MMA is on fire of late and it is great. The sport is on the “sports leader” - ESPN, in magazines, and mainstream websites are starting to MMA sections. The UFC and other organizations could be one major sponsor away from supremacy in the MMA game. Bud Light recently announced that they are the beer of the UFC. If the UFC could land another premier advertiser such as Nike it could make them almost unreachable from the other organizations. Imagine watching the upcoming NCAA tournament and see a commercial with Chuck Liddell and his painted nails having a conversation with Michael Jordan. Think about the great exposure of seeing B.J. Penn showing Derek Jeter how to do a triangle. In the future these concept commercials could be reality. A year ago we could have imagined seeing Rampage Jackson in a commercial with Lebron James. That is suddenly a reality, as well as the huge popularity of the fastest growing sport in America!
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I do still love MMA and have...
April 1st, 2008 at 8:21 am
Not a big fan of Nike and their shoddy business practices, but there’s nothing new to really say about them that hasn’t been said before. Hopefully they market some quality stuff for MMA fans, not overpriced 3rd world MMA shoes for $100.
As far as helping MMA, it’s a huge boost into the casual market to grab those viewers. Can’t complain there.
April 7th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
More about Nike…
If any of you have seen the my better is better than your better commercials during the NCAA tourney then you know about Nike’s Sparq training. I have contacted them and requested information regarding how the system can be an affective training tool in the sport of MMA. I hope to have a return soon and more on Nike’s move to the sport.