{"id":586554,"date":"2018-03-20T09:18:49","date_gmt":"2018-03-20T13:18:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/?p=586554"},"modified":"2022-09-18T10:32:54","modified_gmt":"2022-09-18T15:32:54","slug":"dimension-6-what-would-drake-moving-from-jordan-to-adidas-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.snkrsday.com\/dimension-6-what-would-drake-moving-from-jordan-to-adidas-look-like\/","title":{"rendered":"Dimension 6 \/\/ What Would Drake Moving from Jordan to adidas Look Like?"},"content":{"rendered":"
Last month, only days after All-Star Weekend, the sneaker culture was turned on its head when word got out that Drake<\/strong> may be leaving Jordan Brand to join adidas.<\/p>\n The news was first reported as having potential by Sole Collector, only to be confirmed by our own Nick DePaula that talks were very real.<\/p>\n In the time since, Drake has appeared in Yeezy Season Boots (not adi by definition, but probably not kosher with an active Nike contract) and hopped on an N.E.R.D. track — Champagne Papi’s first time formally working with Pharrell.<\/p>\n So, is this possibility a good one? A great one? A bad one?<\/p>\n We look at the love triangle between Drake, JB and adidas from all angles with a sense of the present, past and possible future.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bidding wars between Nike\/JB and adidas over top tier talent is nothing new. Most notably, a shift to some occurred when Kanye West left Nike to sign with adidas in 2013. Ironically enough, the official announcement of Drake to Jordan Brand happened shortly after.<\/p>\n Over the course of the 2000s, we saw adidas lose Kobe to free agency and eventually to Nike. Just the same, tennis star Andre Agassi left his storied signature series with the Swoosh to sign with the Three Stripes. In recent years, Agassi has returned to Nike, helping fuel activations and bringing back original branding to his retro line.<\/p>\n Prior to any Aubrey to adidas talks, fellow Nike Inc. endorsers like Russell Westbrook and Odell Beckham Jr. were courted by the German juggernaut with both staying home in Beaverton.<\/p>\n While OBJ was reportedly close to going to adidas — ultimately staying with Nike for record money — the fact that he did not sign with Adi would assuringly free up lots of potential payroll. This lack of signing has created countermoves in the past, as 50 Cent has said much of his fat deal from Reebok back in ’03 came from money they originally allotted for then high school phenom and eventual Nike signee LeBron James.<\/p>\n Could it be the same for Drake and adidas?<\/p>\n If Drake were to leave Jordan — seemingly in his prime — he wouldn’t be the first.<\/p>\n Most famously, Dwyane Wade left Jordan Brand in 2012 for Li-Ning when both he and the Heat were as hot as could be. <\/p>\n Electing more money, a growing market and equity, the move with more growth for business potential in the Chinese market was still considered surprising considering the weight Jordan’s name still holds in the game and the fact the Dwyane was the first official face of the signature series not named Mike.<\/p>\n Prior to DWade’s departure, Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss eventually parted ways with Jordan Brand following what looked like a fruitful relationship.<\/p>\n During his early days in Minnesota, Randy received a plethora of PEs as well as turf trainers and his own signature models. Like Wade later, he would leave for a brand of lesser stature but also to play a bigger role (and likely get more money). Moss would become the face of PONY Football.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n By most measures, Michael Jordan is a good contact to have and a nice ally in your corner.<\/p>\n While Drake’s official business partnership with JB began in 2013, his relationship with the Jordan family very literally dates back to 2009 when Drake and Lil Wayne played Marcus Jordan’s high school graduation party in Chicago.<\/p>\n A man as popular as Drake is sure to have friends everywhere. Still, most people’s friends aren’t Michael Jordan.<\/p>\nRecent Bidding Wars<\/h2>\n
Those Who Jumped from the Jumpman<\/h2>\n
Family Ties<\/h2>\n
Missed Opportunities & Money Left on the Table<\/h2>\n