North Carolina announced Saturday night it will become the second football program to wear Jordan Brand apparel starting next season. The announcement is a perfect example of brand synergy considering, you know, this:
The news was all but official when this photo hit the wire on Friday.
Still, North Carolina made a spectacle of it on Saturday night, bringing out His Airness to make the announcement at halftime of the Tar Heels' victory over Duke.
“We’re excited to partner with Michael Jordan – the greatest athlete of all-time – to bring the Jumpman into the Carolina football program,” Larry Fedora said in a statement. “Michael’s impact on the University of North Carolina and the sports landscape in this state is incredible. Our partnership will bring us a greater association with MJ and his brand on the football field moving forward.”
North Carolina didn't offer any visuals as to how the Jumpan will look on their uniforms, but Michigan provided a nice template last season.
There's an underlying awkwardness of a basketball logo on a football uniform that, though not distracting, is still there. Both UNC and Michigan, though, clearly wade past that for the exclusivity of an exalted relationship with Michael Jordan. What will be interesting to follow moving forward is if that honor is reserved for the Heels and Wolverines or spreads to other programs.