I really, really want to like this collection from adidas. The company got everything right on this, but for some reason it feels like something is missing. I’m a huge fan of Adam Sandler and I haven’t really seen a brand celebrate a fictitious sports event except maybe Nike and The Rayguns throwback jerseys, but there hasn’t been a collection for “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh” and I don’t remember a collection celebrating “Blue Chips” so I think adidas is on to something here that is both nostalgic and a feel good story.
(There was an Above the Rim Collection, but I don’t think it was done by Reebok.)
Unfortunately, this collection feels incomplete. There isn’t a video that recaptures the hilarious hopefulness of the movie. The imagery here is too serious in the photos. While I know Adam Sandler wouldn’t be available, this is one of those moments where Pete Davidson could have reprised the role in a digital short. I would have loved to have an adidas Pro Model (I know it’s a basketball shoe) made of ripstop and jersey mesh with a tongue logo of the Mud Dogs.
There is a potential marketing opportunity for every sports film that featured a particular brand. The fictitious sports franchises offer a well of familiarity tying generations together in moments that remind multi-generations of memories that are genuinely happy times. Right now though, adidas fell a bit short in creating the imagery and making sure there was a connective tissue that tied football and film fans to a film that remains the source of a line that is a rallying cry
Dang I just remembered that the rallying cry was “You Can Do It.” That’s just a little bit too close to that other brand.
adidas could have at least given us two or three logo tee shirts with the phrases, ” He Loves His Mama,” “My Momma Said,” or “Medulla Oblangata”. Right now, this feels like a missed opportunity. I would have definitely got a logo tee. Here is the info on the upcoming release:
The limited edition adidas SCLSU and ‘The Waterboy’ 20th anniversary capsule collection will be available exclusively during a special event at Sneaker Politics consortium in Baton Rouge, LA beginning October 18 and available for a limited time on adidas.com beginning on October 19. For more information, visit http://news.adidas.com/US. Join the conversation on Twitter and Instagram via @adidasFballUS | #teamadidas.