Steph Curry and Nike

Wow, really Nike??? Steph Curry didn’t apparently fit with the ‘superhuman’ persona that Nike were supposedly looking for (and have done for many years — think Michael Jordan and LeBron James — amazingly talented athletes that appear superhuman).

When Nike tried to re-sign Curry, it soon become evident that perhaps they didn’t value him in the way that he and his advisers felt they should. Perhaps Curry and his team didn’t feel that there was real authenticity in their approach, and it is quite clear from this article (http://time.com/4269729/stephen-curry-nike-under-armour/) that Curry didn’t believe he would ever reach to the top tier of the Nike stable. Maybe Nike felt that Curry was too everyman, and didn’t have those ‘superhuman’ traits that would inspire both young and old to ‘be like Steph’. Wow, how wrong was that.

Under Armour is a growing brand, that undoubtedly has big plans for the future. They also have a very clear direction — vision, mission and values (http://www.underarmour.jobs/why-choose-us/mission-values/) that clearly identify who they are, what they want to achieve and perhaps most importantly, why they do what they do — they want to ‘empower athletes everywhere’ — a powerful vision. I have no doubt that when Steph Curry aligned himself to Under Armour — he paid particular attention to what was important to them — after all be signing with them he instantly becomes a spokesperson, aan athlete personification of that brand — so it is vital that you make the right choice…that the vision, mission and values are as closely aligned as possible.

Steph Curry is, as far as I can tell from the outside looking in, an authentic, passionate, dedicated, team-centric athlete that is living proof that the everyman can become superhuman (yes he may not soar to the rim from the foul line, but all the 3 pointers, and from hallway, and on the buzzer…wow). Steph Curry is making the impossible possible, and I have no doubt Nike are regretting the outcome of the re-signing meeting, Under Armour have found themselves an athlete, and a human, that they can lead them into the battle with the giants…just as Steph does with the Golden State Warriors…!

So all of you athletes and sponsors out there (and agents, coaches and managers too), do you think about vision, mission and values when making your decisions?