How is Dick’s Sporting Goods outperforming mega-brands like Nike in their inspirational commercials? They’ve done it again with an ad airing during the 2024 summer Olympics. Take a look at these awesome (non-professional people) sports moments caught on camera. But spoiler alert: Can you pick out one that shouldn’t have counted?
I feel a little legalistic pointing out that the basketball buzzer beater should have been waved off by the refs. While it’s an incredible shot, the player had the ball in his hands as the buzzer sounded. The ball went in but the game should’ve went in…. to another overtime! Apparently the buzzer was signifying the end of overtime and the game was tied at 51. But maybe the real clip shows what really happened? Like it was just an editing thing or some kind of delay on TV and the shooter actually got the shot off before time ran out? Well, I found the original clip…
A moment that will live on forever! But still shouldn’t have counted. Here’s another angle.
OK OK, I’ll let it go. The shot went in. The refs threw their hands up for the three-pointer. The crowd went wild. What a moment! But here’s something kind of crazy. The guy who shot the ball, Andrew Landis, said they had to get every single person on the court to approve use of the clip before it could be included in Dick’s commercial.
“They asked if they basically had permission to make a commercial with my shot. We ended up signing an NDA so I couldn’t talk about it. And we had to get every person on the court’s permission.”
Can you imagine trying to track down all the signatures necessary? Crazy. I also discovered the shot was featured in an ESPN top 10 list.
The Music. I’m sure most people know the song featured in the ad but in case it’s new to you, it’s called “Chariots of Fire” and I have a memory of this song etched in my brain forever. I was walking into school as a 3rd grader and I heard another older student playing it on the piano before classes started. Since then, it’s been a favorite so here’s the full song by Vangelis.
“I believe God made me for a purpose – but He also made me fast. And when I run, I feel His pleasure.” -Eric Liddell, Chariots of Fire
Dick’s knocked it out of the park with this ad (even with their dated logo) and I’m sure it’s making an impression as it airs during the Olympics. Contrast that with this Nike commercial that highlights individualism ruling over a team mentality. Granted, it’s visually stunning and edited very well. But Nike loses this round to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
-Out of the Wilderness
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