Sports
As Nike celebrates 40 years of the Air Jordan brand, a long-standing controversy over the origin of the famous Jumpman logo has resurfaced-casting a shadow over the commemorative campaign and stirring debate around intellectual property and artistic recognition.
At the center of this renewed focus is Dutch photographer Jacobus “Co” Rentmeester, who claims he was never properly credited or compensated for the image that allegedly inspired one of the most recognizable sports logos in history.
His assertions, which gained wider attention after the JUMPMAN documentary premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, have reignited criticism of Nike’s business ethics and approach to creative licensing.
In 1984, before the Jordan brand even existed, Rentmeester was assigned by LIFE Magazine to photograph a young Michael Jordan at the University of North Carolina.
During that shoot, he instructed Jordan to leap into a dramatic ballet-style pose-arms stretched, legs extended, palming a basketball in mid-air.
Notably, Jordan wore New Balance sneakers and Adidas socks in the original frame, a subtle detail that undercuts any claim of this being a Nike-directed shot.
“I didn’t take the picture. I made the picture,” Rentmeester said in the documentary, asserting his role in creating the visual concept behind what would later become the Jumpman silhouette.
According to sneaker expert Nick DePaula, Nike later paid the photographer $15,000 for a limited license to use the image internally, with no long-term use rights or additional work guaranteed.
Soon after, Nike launched the Jordan brand and the now-iconic Jumpman logo-strikingly similar to Rentmeester‘s original photo-began appearing on billboards, sneakers, and merchandise worldwide.
Rentmeester eventually took legal action in 2014, alleging copyright infringement. However, in 2018, an Oregon judge dismissed the case, ruling that the pose, while similar, lacked the “substantial similarity” necessary for legal protection. Among the cited differences were Jordan’s hand positioning and body angle.
Despite the legal outcome, many fans believe Rentmeester was wronged and continue to push for public acknowledgment or compensation.
Fans Call for Nike to Do the Right Thing
On social media, the response has been overwhelmingly sympathetic to the photographer. “It’s amazing how companies do everything to not pay the people that deserve it,” one user wrote. Another added, “Nike’s a billion-dollar company. Give the man what he seeks before he leaves this earth.”
Some fans have proposed creative solutions-such as a limited-edition colorway collaboration to honor Rentmeester‘s influence-while others are simply shocked that the original image, which helped shape a global brand, netted just $15,000.
Although legal precedent is on Nike’s side, critics argue that ethical considerations should compel the brand to revisit the situation. “Wow! They done made billions off that pic and all he’s gotten is 15k,” read one widely shared comment.
For Rentmeester, now 88, the battle is no longer just about money-it’s about credit. His short film JUMPMAN is part of a last-ditch effort to tell his story, backed by photographic evidence and reenactments from that pivotal 1984 shoot in Chapel Hill.
Whether or not Nike responds, the controversy has stirred broader conversations about creative ownership, corporate accountability, and the value of artistic work in commercial success. With the Jordan brand’s legacy front and center in 2025, the questions surrounding its origin story are proving harder to ignore.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
4 Takeaways From the Phillies’ NLDS Game 3 Win Over the Dodgers
<!--> [--> Rowan Kavner MLB Writer <!-->]--> <!--> --> LOS ANGELES — By the ninth inning, much of Dodger Stadium had already cleared out. With a chance to put the Phillies away in the National League Division Series, the Dodgers’ offense offered little resistance to Ranger Suárez’s attack while their pitchers could no longer keep the Phillies’ top sluggers at bay as Philadelphia staved off elimination in Game 3.Here are my takeaways:1. Phillies sluggers wake from their slumber The ball sailed through the Los Angeles night sky and clanked off the top of the roof in the Dodgers’ right-field pavilion in the fourth inning. And with that, the first Schwarbomb of the postseason signaled the arrival of the Phillies’ sluggers. ADVERTISEMENT Before Kyle Schwarber’s 455-foot blast to put the Phillies on the board Wednesday night, Philadelphia’s vaunted trio of Trea Turner, Schwarber […]
Peters ready for Lewis to ‘own’ Super League Grand Final for Hull KR
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters is backing Mikey Lewis to "own" the Super League Grand Final.Star man Lewis has lit up the Super League in the last two seasons, his efforts last year winning him Man of Steel. Now, Lewis has the opportunity once again to make his mark, this time at Old Trafford as his club chase what would be a historic treble.Lewis stepped up in the final moments of the Robins' Challenge Cup win with a clutch conversion that secured them their first trophy in over 40 years. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Reigning Man of Steel Mikey Lewis has ended NRL links by signing a new Hull KR contract until 2030 In the NRL Grand Final, the sport witnessed 23-year-old Reece Walsh come through for Brisbane Broncos in their dramatic win […]
Today on Sky Sports Racing: Bath and Newcastle host competitive action
Watch every race from Bath and Newcastle live on Sky Sports Racing on Thursday.2.30 Bath - Term of Endearment and Fairy Glen seek Listed Beckford prizeTerm of Endearment and Fairy Glen headline a top-class field for the Listed Beckford Stakes at Bath. Simon and Ed Crisford's Fairy Glen, fourth in this race last year, has only run once since when second behind Palladium at Salisbury last month and that should put her spot on for a big run here.Term Of Endearment, top rated on 105, ran a career best at York in May but has struggled to kick on since. Beaten favourite when midfield at Goodwood on her last start, she will appreciate this dip in class. Tom Marquand retains the ride and is in fine form after winning a big prize aboard Caballo De Mar in France at the […]
Yarde backs himself to get Canelo fight in 2026
Anthony Yarde believes he could put himself in the running to take on a superstar of the sport, Canelo Alvarez, next year.Next month Yarde will challenge the formidable David Benavidez for the WBC light-heavyweight world title. Benavidez, a world champion now at both light-heavy and super-middleweight, has never lost a professional bout. Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies […]
‘Progress is not enough’ – Hamilton issues Ferrari rallying cry after setback
Lewis Hamilton has issued a rallying cry to his Ferrari team as he insisted he was "proud" of their efforts despite another underwhelming result at the Singapore Grand Prix.Hamilton returned to action at the Marina Bay Street Circuit just days after announcing that his beloved dog Roscoe had died, and said he was "overwhelmed" by the support he had received. The seven-time world champion outqualified team-mate Charles Leclerc for the first time since July's British Grand Prix but Ferrari were a clear step below Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren as Hamilton limped home with a brake issue to cross the line in seventh, which became eighth after he received a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits multiple times."After a tough week, it feels good to be home. I had some time to reflect on my journey from Singapore and […]
A-Rod on ’25 Yankees: ‘One of the Worst Constructions of a Roster I’ve Ever Seen’
Yankees fans have been very critical of manager Aaron Boone this year, but Alex Rodriguez said he is not the reason their season ended in the American League Division Series.The Yankees' season ended on Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. The Yankees lineup struggled throughout the series outside of Game 2 (after the Blue Jays had already taken a big lead) and an impressive comeback in Game 3.Rodriguez explained why Yankees fans should not blame the skipper."Aaron's been very classy. We've all been very consistent with that," Rodriguez said. "Honestly, from the entire organization, he's the one guy I would circle that has least to be to blame. I mean, he's got a lot of talent, but for me personally, one of the worst constructions of a roster I've ever seen. You have three left-hand catchers, […]
Related
4 Takeaways From the Phillies’ NLDS Game 3 Win Over the Dodgers
<!--> [--> Rowan Kavner MLB Writer <!-->]--> <!--> --> LOS ANGELES — By the ninth inning, much of Dodger Stadium had already cleared out. With a chance to put the Phillies away in the National League Division Series, the Dodgers’ offense offered little resistance to Ranger Suárez’s attack while their pitchers could no longer keep the Phillies’ top sluggers at bay as Philadelphia staved off elimination in Game 3.Here are my takeaways:1. Phillies sluggers wake from their slumber The ball sailed through the Los Angeles night sky and clanked off the top of the roof in the Dodgers’ right-field pavilion in the fourth inning. And with that, the first Schwarbomb of the postseason signaled the arrival of the Phillies’ sluggers. ADVERTISEMENT Before Kyle Schwarber’s 455-foot blast to put the Phillies on the board Wednesday night, Philadelphia’s vaunted trio of Trea Turner, Schwarber […]
‘Progress is not enough’ – Hamilton issues Ferrari rallying cry after setback
Lewis Hamilton has issued a rallying cry to his Ferrari team as he insisted he was "proud" of their efforts despite another underwhelming result at the Singapore Grand Prix.Hamilton returned to action at the Marina Bay Street Circuit just days after announcing that his beloved dog Roscoe had died, and said he was "overwhelmed" by the support he had received. The seven-time world champion outqualified team-mate Charles Leclerc for the first time since July's British Grand Prix but Ferrari were a clear step below Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren as Hamilton limped home with a brake issue to cross the line in seventh, which became eighth after he received a five-second time penalty for exceeding track limits multiple times."After a tough week, it feels good to be home. I had some time to reflect on my journey from Singapore and […]
Yarde backs himself to get Canelo fight in 2026
Anthony Yarde believes he could put himself in the running to take on a superstar of the sport, Canelo Alvarez, next year.Next month Yarde will challenge the formidable David Benavidez for the WBC light-heavyweight world title. Benavidez, a world champion now at both light-heavy and super-middleweight, has never lost a professional bout. Spreaker This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies. To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies. You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once. You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options. Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies. To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies […]
Today on Sky Sports Racing: Bath and Newcastle host competitive action
Watch every race from Bath and Newcastle live on Sky Sports Racing on Thursday.2.30 Bath - Term of Endearment and Fairy Glen seek Listed Beckford prizeTerm of Endearment and Fairy Glen headline a top-class field for the Listed Beckford Stakes at Bath. Simon and Ed Crisford's Fairy Glen, fourth in this race last year, has only run once since when second behind Palladium at Salisbury last month and that should put her spot on for a big run here.Term Of Endearment, top rated on 105, ran a career best at York in May but has struggled to kick on since. Beaten favourite when midfield at Goodwood on her last start, she will appreciate this dip in class. Tom Marquand retains the ride and is in fine form after winning a big prize aboard Caballo De Mar in France at the […]
Peters ready for Lewis to ‘own’ Super League Grand Final for Hull KR
Hull KR head coach Willie Peters is backing Mikey Lewis to "own" the Super League Grand Final.Star man Lewis has lit up the Super League in the last two seasons, his efforts last year winning him Man of Steel. Now, Lewis has the opportunity once again to make his mark, this time at Old Trafford as his club chase what would be a historic treble.Lewis stepped up in the final moments of the Robins' Challenge Cup win with a clutch conversion that secured them their first trophy in over 40 years. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Reigning Man of Steel Mikey Lewis has ended NRL links by signing a new Hull KR contract until 2030 In the NRL Grand Final, the sport witnessed 23-year-old Reece Walsh come through for Brisbane Broncos in their dramatic win […]
A-Rod on ’25 Yankees: ‘One of the Worst Constructions of a Roster I’ve Ever Seen’
Yankees fans have been very critical of manager Aaron Boone this year, but Alex Rodriguez said he is not the reason their season ended in the American League Division Series.The Yankees' season ended on Wednesday night with a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. The Yankees lineup struggled throughout the series outside of Game 2 (after the Blue Jays had already taken a big lead) and an impressive comeback in Game 3.Rodriguez explained why Yankees fans should not blame the skipper."Aaron's been very classy. We've all been very consistent with that," Rodriguez said. "Honestly, from the entire organization, he's the one guy I would circle that has least to be to blame. I mean, he's got a lot of talent, but for me personally, one of the worst constructions of a roster I've ever seen. You have three left-hand catchers, […]
Be the first to leave a comment