I asked this on the Matforums, but I figured if it was it's own thread it might be answered faster... I know that the Gopher athletic dept (or many Gopher Sports teams) are sponsored by Nike, but for a long time the Gopher Wrestling team was affliated with Asics. Looking at some pictures from last nights All-Star Classic I saw that both Schlatter and Kish were wearing Nikes' last night for their match. I just found that unusual. Does anyone have any Information about this?

Originally Posted by graduated

I asked this on the Matforums, but I figured if it was it's own thread it might be answered faster... I know that the Gopher athletic dept (or many Gopher Sports teams) are sponsored by Nike, but for a long time the Gopher Wrestling team was affliated with Asics. Looking at some pictures from last nights All-Star Classic I saw that both Schlatter and Kish were wearing Nikes' last night for their match. I just found that unusual. Does anyone have any Information about this?

I referenced this also on another thread. I remember hearing that Nike was getting sole athletic rights to the U of MN. That said, there seems to be ways around it when it comes to wrestling. Teams from AZ State, Illinois, and Oregon (in the past) have been pretty much 100% Nike and many Adidas schools (Neb, WI, & Michigan State) don't deviate. However, I remember the older Churella wearing the Asics Rulons that were blackened to cover the logo and Coleman Scott wore old school Brutes last year...though they may have been bought out by Adidas or John Smith has rights. Regardless, Ness and Mac wore the new Caels so unless they get an All-Star meet exemption...it may end up half and half.

Two things that may come from the Nike addition:
1) Better merchandise for Gopher fans (items Nike already has in house)

2) Was I seeing things or was there something on the singlet on the thigh opposite of the M? Might be something Nike related.

Originally Posted by GopherfanbackinMN

I referenced this also on another thread. I remember hearing that Nike was getting sole athletic rights to the U of MN. That said, there seems to be ways around it when it comes to wrestling. Teams from AZ State, Illinois, and Oregon (in the past) have been pretty much 100% Nike and many Adidas schools (Neb, WI, & Michigan State) don't deviate. However, I remember the older Churella wearing the Asics Rulons that were blackened to cover the logo and Coleman Scott wore old school Brutes last year...though they may have been bought out by Adidas or John Smith has rights. Regardless, Ness and Mac wore the new Caels so unless they get an All-Star meet exemption...it may end up half and half.

Two things that may come from the Nike addition:
1) Better merchandise for Gopher fans (items Nike already has in house)
2) Was I seeing things or was there something on the singlet on the thigh opposite of the M? Might be something Nike related.

I did see that symbol on the right thigh of the singlet. I was also thinking the same thing maybe it's a nike reference...

I agree with Jacob, I think that it would be great for Nike to make a high quality shoe for once. I think their last effort (or at least the one that I can remember of the top of my head) was the Kolat 2k4? or something along those lines? I've worn Nike shoe's and have never really been a huge fan so if they can create a good shoe and get it on the market the more power to them. I think that Nike Dominates the sports footwear and apparel market outside of wrestling. I think it would be both good for Nike and the Sport of wrestling.

I think the current Nike Freek is agreat shoe, very light!

Originally Posted by Trusty

I think the current Nike Freek is agreat shoe, very light!

While we're at it....I really dug the Nike Footsweep (Red/white/ and blue version). Had a sole design similar to the Adidas Combat Speed and an aggressive lacing system. Some of the Kolat's were good...not great.

As for Nike Gopher Wrestling merch...nothing is showing up on the Goldy's Lockerroom website. Maybe we'll see some at the ISU dual.

A bit off-topic, but if Nike wanted wrestling to remain a Division I sport at the University of Oregon, wouldn't that happen, given the money and clout that Nike has at that university?

Originally Posted by grapplefan

A bit off-topic, but if Nike wanted wrestling to remain a Division I sport at the University of Oregon, wouldn't that happen, given the money and clout that Nike has at that university?

The short answer there is yes.


I was going to say that they really don't care about wrestling. They care about the marketing potential of the school for their brand. I can't find anything nike that has Ohio State Wrestling on it anywhere, but then I doubt they even make it, since it's the football and basketball teams that Nike is really paying for when they sponsor an Athletic dept.

So if Nike doesn't give a damn about wrestling at their "own" school, why should wrestlers and wrestling fans give a damn about Nike anywhere else? Aren't there lots of other wrestling shoe options?