Donovan Mitchell’s decision to cover the Nike swoosh on his Cleveland Guardians jersey with duct tape has sparked a wave of reactions from fans on social media.
The Cleveland Cavaliers star was spotted at the Guardians’ ALCS Game 3 clash alongside singer Coco Jones, with the unusual patch covering the Nike logo on his jersey. Mitchell is an Adidas athlete and recently signed a multi-year contract extension with the brand.
Mitchell’s relationship with Adidas dates back to his college days at Louisville and has since grown into one of the brand’s biggest NBA partnerships. His D.O.N. signature sneaker line is set to continue through its ninth and tenth editions.
Fans react to Donovan Mitchell’s unusual jersey decision
The move immediately caught the attention of fans, with many assuming the duct tape was connected to Mitchell’s Adidas contract.
One fan questioned the obvious contradiction: “What? But you still can’t hide the fact that it’s Nike.”
Another felt the decision was simply part of being a professional athlete in the spotlight: “Just like pretty much every athlete does when they know they’re in a media situation.”
Another fan appeared to spot the logo underneath the tape, writing: “If you zoom on the tape you can see the swoosh LOL.”
Not everyone understood why the situation was being treated as an issue. “That’s a concern? Guy committed to the land.”
One supporter was far less impressed with the look: “So lame. Just wear something else? Who wants duct tape on their shirt?”
The lack of a suitable colour also became a talking point, with another fan joking: “Hahaha they don’t have red tape.” Meanwhile, one supporter offered the simplest explanation of them all: “Contractually probably has to.”
Mitchell’s unusual jersey choice may have looked strange to fans, but his Adidas relationship gives plenty of context for why he may have wanted to avoid prominently displaying another sportswear brand.
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