Jumpman (logo)
Michael Jordan stood on the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus in 1984. He wore an Olympic jumpsuit and New Balance shoes for a Life magazine photo shoot. Photographer Co Rentmeester captured him mid-air holding a basketball with his left hand. The pose mimicked the grand jeté ballet technique. Nike shoe designer Peter Moore saw this image in a later issue of the magazine. He asked Jordan to recreate that same leap while wearing Chicago Bulls gear instead. This new silhouette became the foundation for what would become the Jumpman logo.
The Jumpman logo first appeared on Air Jordan III sneakers in 1988. It sat quietly on footwear before gaining broader recognition over the next decade. By 1997, Nike elevated the silhouette to serve as the official symbol for its entire Jordan brand. The design now covers everything from athletic shoes to hats and socks. Industry observers note it has become one of the most recognizable logos within athletics. Michael Jordan remains a former National Basketball Association player and current minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
Jacobus Rentmeester filed a lawsuit against Nike on the 22nd of January 2015. He claimed copyright infringement regarding the use of his photograph for the Jumpman logo. Rentmeester argued that Nike had not received permission to use the image for any purpose. A federal court in Portland, Oregon heard the case during June 2015. The judge ruled against Rentmeester at that time. An appeals court upheld this decision in February 2018. The photographer maintained that Nike copied his work without granting temporary permission.
Qiaodan Sports registered trademarks related to Jordan starting in 2000. This Chinese company utilized the fame of Michael Jordan to succeed in the local market. They used a silhouetted basketball player logo alongside their name written in Chinese characters. Michael Jordan sued Qiaodan Sports in 2012 over these trademark violations. The legal battle lasted eight years before reaching the China People's Supreme Court. On the 8th of April 2020, the court revoked 74 trademarks held by Qiaodan Sports. Prosecutors noted the logo did not include distinguishable facial features so it could not violate portrait rights.
Drake and Future released a song titled Jumpman that references the brand multiple times. Buckethead composed a track named Jordan which appears on a single cover referencing the silhouette. These musical works demonstrate how the image extends beyond athletic merchandise into broader culture. The logo has appeared in various artistic contexts since its creation. It remains a symbol recognized globally across different forms of media.
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Common questions
Who designed the Jumpman logo for Nike?
Nike shoe designer Peter Moore created the Jumpman logo. He asked Michael Jordan to recreate a leap from a Life magazine photo shoot while wearing Chicago Bulls gear.
When did the Jumpman logo first appear on Air Jordan sneakers?
The Jumpman logo first appeared on Air Jordan III sneakers in 1988. By 1997, Nike elevated the silhouette to serve as the official symbol for its entire Jordan brand.
What happened during the lawsuit between Jacobus Rentmeester and Nike?
Jacobus Rentmeester filed a lawsuit against Nike on the 22nd of January 2015 claiming copyright infringement regarding his photograph. A federal court in Portland, Oregon heard the case during June 2015 and ruled against Rentmeester before an appeals court upheld this decision in February 2018.
Why did the China People's Supreme Court revoke trademarks held by Qiaodan Sports?
On the 8th of April 2020, the court revoked 74 trademarks held by Qiaodan Sports after Michael Jordan sued them in 2012 over trademark violations. Prosecutors noted the logo did not include distinguishable facial features so it could not violate portrait rights.
How has the Jumpman logo influenced music culture beyond sports merchandise?
Drake and Future released a song titled Jumpman that references the brand multiple times while Buckethead composed a track named Jordan which appears on a single cover referencing the silhouette. These musical works demonstrate how the image extends beyond athletic merchandise into broader culture.