Nike faces renewed backlash over origins of Jordan brand logo
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 […]
