"It’s the block M that has power, not Denard Robinson"
Full quote from Michigan CMO Hunter Lochman on college athletes potentially being paid:
“The athletes are there for four years. At Michigan, it’s the block M that has the infinity and power, not Denard Robinson. Those are fleeting, four-year relationships, but it’s the block M that’s been there for over 150 years.”
uh wut
December 12th, 2014 at 2:21 PM ^
If Denard Robinson has no power, why not say, "It's the block M that has power, not Joe Kerridge."
I think what he meant to say was, "It's the block M that has power, not QB#16."
December 12th, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^
Spoken like a true marketing douchebag.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:23 PM ^
You sneaky son of a bitch...how did you get back in the door?
December 12th, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
This is the face you'll all remember when you think of Shoelace 150 years from now, apparently.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
Well, yeah... look how shiny his huge forehead is.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:37 PM ^
"How do you want that picture done, Mr. Lochmann?"
"Get me...a shitload of beige."
December 12th, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
Probably would sell branding rights to the banner if he could." The M club banner presented by Abso pure".
What a waste of money Lochmann is and a legacy of Brandon's.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:27 PM ^
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December 12th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
fuel the value behind the block M. The symbol or the (shudder) "brand" may truly have the literal "infinity", but the players have the power and they always will. You would think a Chief Marketing Officer would understand where his business derives value.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
Seems like another Hackett smokescreen to me
December 12th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^
You are correct, sir. We are only a fleeting memory lasting only four years. Marketing is all that matters, not some trivial four year moments in time.
Sincerely,
Bennie Oosterban, Tom Harmon, Ron Kramer, Dave Brown, Rick Leach, Ron Simpkins, Anthony Carter, Jim Harbaugh, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson, LaMarr Woodley, Jake Long, Denard Robinson and countless others far more valuable to this program than you
December 12th, 2014 at 2:28 PM ^
Not only a douche but a fool.
Denard is the worst choice of a player to single out in a comment like this.
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December 12th, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^
thinks he is a part of the legacy?
Somebody get him out of here. Like he said, the M has power... not the CMO
December 12th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
On his white hat...because he is racist.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:30 PM ^
I'd like to congratulate Hunter Lochmann on winning the 2014 Annual David Brandon False Dichotomy Award. Tell me where I should ship your box of bees!
December 12th, 2014 at 2:31 PM ^
December 12th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
December 12th, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^
What's amazing in the tone deafness is the complete inability to see how quickly you can damage that supposedly indestructible brand, as Brandon did the last 4 years with this exact fucking arrogant elitist attitude.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:32 PM ^
I thought Hackett was taking out the garbage? Looks like he forgot a (D)bag. Please clean house. Please.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
Beyond the utter stupidity of the Denard Robinson quote is the one where he shits on us for being so stupid because we don't like sponsorships and in stadium advertising. Like we're all our grandpas upset because things aren't 1950. Hey asshole! If I wanted that shit as part of my gameday experience, I'd just pay to watch the NFL. Shit, I'd save money in doing so for a superior product! And the players would actually receive money compensation!
December 12th, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
I had never heard the name of Hunter Lochmann, but I will never forget the name of Denard Robinson. The only other time I ever hear the name Hunter Lochmann better be in the context of "Hunter Lochmann was fired by the University of Michigan today." This pompous assclown needs to go.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:37 PM ^
Most of us disagree with the point he's making, and that's fine, but he probably escapes this whole situation unscathed if he more carefully chooses his words and says "not any one particular player" instead of specifically naming Michigan's beloved son Denard. Definitely suffering from an acute case of Dave-Brandon-foot-in-mouth disease.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
Did this guy, whose employer is in the midst of wooing former alum Jim Harbaugh with piles upon piles of money, really just claim that the players have fleeting four year relationships? If you honestly believe that, I think everyone with a say in your current coaching search may have a bone to pick with you.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
It's not that Denard Robinson is worth $1000000/yr.
It's that Denard Robinson at UM in Stadium built in 192_, with fans cultivated over generations, on TV contracts built by years of growing interest, etc., etc. is worth so much money.
Denard's athletic capabilities are very entertaining to be sure. But, the market for his exploits is based on everything that has made college football what it is today.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:42 PM ^
But he's not wrong about paying players. If you take away the college football infrastructure, nobody would give a fuck about semi-pro or minor league football. The money is there because of the history of college football and the relationships fans have with schools/teams. Way more people watch Duke/Carolina basketball than watch the D-League, even though the quality of play is almost certainly higher in the latter. Women's college basketball gets higher ratings than the WNBA on a regular basis.
Without college football, only a fraction of these guys would see any benefit and would be forced to compete against much older players for roster spots in some minor league. Way fewer guys would get roughly the same money. You can argue all you want about whether or not guys want to be paid in education, but in terms of dollars the college system provides players with way more than they would get on the open market if that system didn't exist.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:43 PM ^
Relationships with CMO's are fleeting, too.
December 12th, 2014 at 2:46 PM ^
That our CMO is so obtuse he tries to make a point like this using one of the most beloved and dedicated student athletes in years speaks volumes. Why is our athletic department so tone deaf when it comes to communications and PR?
December 12th, 2014 at 2:54 PM ^
December 12th, 2014 at 2:56 PM ^
I agree with him.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:01 PM ^
Honestly, he's kinda right.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:02 PM ^
December 12th, 2014 at 3:07 PM ^
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December 12th, 2014 at 3:08 PM ^
Just another chapter in the Athletic Department's attempts to make sure you never forget the Block M exists. Look at any Michigan uniform these days, and they've found a way to put an M just about anywhere they can cram it. You can't take a picture of a Michigan athlete without getting a Block M in the frame. Don't get me wrong, the M is great and all... But it's such transparent posturing in the wake of Brandon's efforts to make "the brand" "consistent."
Also see that funny athlete Christmas video that got posted yesterday, in which the athletes thank Adidas for their "cool swag" or some such thing. It's unreal the extent to which these people are trying to monetize everything.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:10 PM ^
but I also don't see what that has to do with paying players.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:16 PM ^
December 12th, 2014 at 3:19 PM ^
December 12th, 2014 at 3:35 PM ^
Kabam adviser Chris Carvalho, whose company has the naming rights to Cal's Memorial Stadium football field through a 15-year-deal signed last December, agreed, saying that Kabam has to be mindful of Cal’s traditions.
So, Kabam Memorial Stadium was out, eh? Understandable.
What a weird quote from Lochmann though. Apparently, he missed the idea that this version of brand equity that Michigan has was being built through a history of excellence and excellent players and personnel. It is that people like Lochmann who seem to have forgotten this that I fear more than most things because it wouldn't take much to undo what it took so many people so many years to do.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:37 PM ^
Out of every athlete you could pick you choose the dedicated, hard-working, SMILING face that single-handedly pushed us into national relevance despite not being a nationally relevant team.
You sir, are an asshole.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:42 PM ^
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December 12th, 2014 at 3:56 PM ^
Lochman is correct only in that the "M" is the power to bring a player like Denard to the masses much quicker than most other schools, as well as keeping the spotlight bright due to M's exposure. If for example, Denard played for Sparty... he simply would not have received the national/international notariety that he achieved.
Other than that, it is ALL Denard (with the help of his teammates)....so he is way off the mark and arrogant with the rest.
December 12th, 2014 at 3:58 PM ^
The winged helmet and the block M is the core of why we cheer teams on, but it's the athletes and the play on the field that mobilizes and gives life to the helmets and block M.
If I wanted to just cheer the university and its symbols and traditions and not the athletes, I'll just go stare at a picture of the Big House for 2.5 hours, and no one wants to do that.
December 12th, 2014 at 4:04 PM ^
The block M is not made up of just paint or pixels reproduced millions of times, it is a singular symbol made up of memories created and cherished by the great students, student athletes, and fans that have been part of this school's storied history. A block M without the Denards, Woodsons, and Harbaughs would be meaningless.
Yes I am hoping for bonus points for mentioning Harbaugh.
December 12th, 2014 at 4:07 PM ^
And this goes beyond athletics. You don't need a POS CMO to tell you that. From a POTUS, to Google, to countless other efforts, the students and faculty are what made this university so great. You add up all those "fleeting 4-year relationships" and you have 200 years of students (athlete and non-athlete) and faculty paving the way.
December 12th, 2014 at 4:09 PM ^
I agree to a point. However, Anthony Carter, Jim Harbaugh, Desmond Howard, Charles Woodson and guys like Denard Robinson will always be remembered. They are not fleeting.
December 12th, 2014 at 4:14 PM ^
Using the word fleeting is the main part that pissed me off as well. The rest of it you can chalk up to him being an out of touch idiot who doesn't know when to put his foot in his mouth. Say what you want about paying student athletes... the rest of this was out of line and out of touch.
December 12th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^
“The athletes are there for four years. At Michigan, it’s the block M that has the infinity and power,
In this case nevermind Harbaugh. His was a fleeting 4-year relationship. Let's hire this block M to be the new coach.