NBA 2K12 Cover Athletes - Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird

[dan04103]

I can't think of three players who carried their league better than these three. Great move!


USDA Approved.

[tonybologna]

Look out Larry! Here I come to get ya Bird!

[aloncho11]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

Most of the time, I've heard it's one of two things (or both): 1) Existing contracts with other video game companies. MJ with his "Chaos in the Windy City" and Charles Barkley with his "Shut up and Jam". Probably more likely: 2) I've heard MJ (and probably Charles) were not parts of the NBA Player's Association, meaning all negotiations for their likeness had to be settled individually. Through a steep price, or just an unwillingness to participate, basketball companies and these two could not come to terms. I don't know what changed for MJ when he returned with Washington. I always kind of assumed he just joined the Player's Association.

I think it was a more personal (smart) move here with some marketing items (agents also involved). Before the 1992 All-Star break, MJ tells the league that from now on, his face is worth $$$ and will cost the NBA on any type of merchandising products it sells, at the time mainly T-shirts and caps, and the NBA answers "No" of course and take him off -all of this while MJ's mind is full despise for the NBA, their players and thinking about retiring to go and play baseball;yes this dates back to 1991-.

So MJ did appear on products that paid him endorsements at the time and after (we all know which ones) plus others like EASN (later EA Sports) which included video games like Bulls vs Lakers, Michael Jordan in Flight, USA Dream Team, Bulls vs Blazers and NBA Showdown '93. He also appeared on some limited edition items, like cartooned team championship T-Shirts (1992, 1993) with the condition that only the brand (in this case Champion) and not the league, could make money out of it. Same deal with the Dream Team T-Shirts (USA Basketball was fine by him, because it wasn't the NBA).


Anyway, back on topic!

[sarlndr]

I wish they had gone with an old school Magic cover to be honest. The covers all look great though.

[VDusen04]

Quote: Originally Posted by sarlndr

I wish they had gone with an old school Magic cover to be honest. The covers all look great though.

You mean like one from Magic in the early 80's? I didn't look very closely but it did seem to be a relatively modern Magic photo. Is it from his '96 comeback? Thought the shorts looked longer than typical Magic.

[sportjames23]

Quote: Originally Posted by VDusen04

You mean like one from Magic in the early 80's? I didn't look very closely but it did seem to be a relatively modern Magic photo. Is it from his '96 comeback? Thought the shorts looked longer than typical Magic.

Yup, that's where it's from. I would have went with '87 Magic myself.

[aloncho11]

I would've liked to see that too. A younger Magic and also a younger Michael..."key word...would have".

[youvalss]

Quote: Originally Posted by babythug23

Why are jordans accessories on the right side of his body?

It was probably flipped to fit the design. Whoever designed it probably thought that MJ facing right would fit better, so he flipped MJ and then just recreated the text on the jersey to correct the flip. I'm kind of an accessory freak - and yet I missed it. Now it really bothers me. Thanks for ruining my evening...

Just kidding, but it does bother.