I really don't understand why it is so difficult for Adidas to create a simple, visually pleasing design that would appeal to most fans. Instead, everything has to be lined, striped, checkered, meshed, piped, camouflaged, or whatever the hell that clawed pattern is supposed to be. Christ, hiring an intern with one year of art coursework would fix most of these problems instantly. Those maize shorts in particular are unbelievably bad.
All of the plain stuff exists already. Do you want them to include it in each and every press release?
if they put the exact same simple Michigan gear up at every press release, and moved this stuff down to the kids collection, the collective fan base would be praising Adidas.
those hats
The hats need to be lit on fire. Even if the designs were reasonable, they would fall apart after one season. The one I am wearing right now is proof - had to buy a new one by XMas. Anyone but Adidas...
Someone mentioned this above and I tend to agree - the white pullover is probably the only thing in this sampling that even approaches wearable, in my opinion, leaving the other stuff in a category of things where I would probably just cringe and walk away - especially the hats....good lord. My only guess is that Adidas really is not aiming for the MGoBlog end of the market, if you will, but even at that, I really do not understand what is so difficult about creating something that does not look overdone or overdesigned.
To Hell with Adidas!
Under Armour would be an improvement.
Hats look good but I just don't like Under Armour. When I think of UA, I feel like its a brand for fitness buffs and high school football. Say what you will about Adidas but its a world famous brand. I was in Frankfurt recently and saw Michigan adidas gear (hats and #3 basketball jersey) at one of the sports stores.
Michigan jerseys selling in Frankfurt? Sounds like a good start.
a walmart catalog reprint?
I thought the goal was to actually sell merchandise. This stuff is butt-ugly. PLEASE bring Nike back.
runs through 2016-2017 school year. Dave Brandon has already said Michigan intends to honor the contract.
Michigan is currently Adidas's #1 revenue, they will likely bid the next contract even higher. In short don't expect Nike to walk in and top the Adidas contract.
Adidas needs Michigan more than Nike does.
I blew it, not making it down to the M-Den for last years merchandise sale. I can't agree more with the my fellow Mgo blogger who said those hats were the worst he has seen. The round cap is plain ugly. I will be steam cleaning my hats and wearing them again this year.
I feel bad for our coaching staff. They actually have to WEAR this shit. In public. On TV!
By the end I was expecting to see this:
but then remembered that it is not 1992 and this is the Adidas line.
Looks like there's more to come...
Yikes. That hoodie looks like something Andre Agassi would have worn circa 1992.
Even Gary Moeller thinks these look horrible
Great post - at least he's got the hat right.
Adidas always seems to have a few things that are complete garbage and then a few things that would be good but for one adidas throwing in one extra, completely unnecessary element. Like the shirts with the stripe on the sleeves that goes around the back. Why?
This generally looks like what I always considered the 'knock off' stuff you can find at Meijer. Poor form
I like that crewneck sweater with the maize stripe accross the back but the rest is terrible, especially the hats. Yikes.
Doesn't the buck stop with DB on this? Did he give Addidas carte blanche for whatever they want to design? Apparel is a significant component of the brand. The AD should have veto power over shit like this (I would hope he didn't have input, although in general, he shoud).
What's worse - that DB allows Addidas to produce this shit unchecked, or that he approves it?
I am not anti-DB by default, but is he not ultimately responsible for the apparel line?
I think this thought is a good sign your hatred for DB has gone to far and you are now trying to blame everything on him. That said, if they renew the Adidas contract, you can rip him all you want. I don't care whet they offer, it's not worth it.
OK, Mr. Thought Police. I get the impression that if DB were black, you'd have called me a racist. You seem a bit narrow in the mind.