What happens when espn and CFP designs your national championship rings ... (yeah it sucks)

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

ESPN College Football on Instagram: "A closer look at the custom championship rings we designed alongside the @cfbplayoff for the winning team 💍👀"

56K likes, 541 comments - espncfbJanuary 9, 2024 on : "A closer look at the custom championship rings we designed alongside the @cfbplayoff for the winning team 💍👀"

www.instagram.com

Almost nothing there about the team that won. "ESPN" is featured ... as are RED ... for what? Ohio St.?

And Michigan's name or logo ... not even on it.

 

[fmlizard]

Damn, if this isn't the worst case of over-standardized systemic design I have ever seen. It's an ESPN ring, like you might get working for the camera crew.

Remember when Super Bowls, Final Fours, World Series, NBA Finals all got unique logos each year? Now all follow the formulaic handcuffs of the "design system", where a number is changed each year and production costs stay rock bottom.

There's some designer at ESPN who waged holy war internally trying to stop this due to the inevitable horrible feedback it would get, but got overruled by a management team desperately cutting costs.

 

[rugger14]

I assume Michigan will still make their own rings.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I assume Michigan will still make their own rings.

They kinda HAVE to now.

They likely would have anyway ... but now you GOTTA.

 

[MNVCGUY]

ESPN right in the center of the damn ring.....really.....

I have zero doubt Michigan will do something on their own because these are pathetic.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

It's like they just assumed Bama was going to win it!

 

[MNVCGUY]

So a little digging and added context makes this all make a little more sense. Still an ugly ring but at least there is a story behind it. Guessing the real championship rings that the payers get will be very different.

ESPN, Arts & Letters collab for supersized CFP championship ring

ESPN collaborated with agency Arts & Letters to craft a supersized version of the CFP national championship ring.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

 

[fmlizard]

It's like they just assumed Bama was going to win it!

The 4 red squares signify Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State - the only three schools they thought could win it - and Nebraska (because someone still believes)

 

[fmlizard]

So a little digging and added context makes this all make a little more sense. Still an ugly ring but at least there is a story behind it. Guessing the real championship rings that the payers get will be very different.

ESPN, Arts & Letters collab for supersized CFP championship ring

ESPN collaborated with agency Arts & Letters to craft a supersized version of the CFP national championship ring.

www.sportsbusinessjournal.com

Ok, I see...this comes from the same family of novelty promo items like life sized Pop Tarts and blingy wrestling belts and turnover chains. Which explains why there's nothing Michigan on it and it's only meant to promote ESPN...which it is.

I couldn't imagine issuing those rings to the players as championship rings and expecting anything but extreme jeers.

 

[watertown 1987 guy n]

Geez, this is truly moronic of a management team. How does putting your logo on 100
rings that don’t see the light of day other than a personal trophy case provide anything but a backlash.

 

[Gopher Ally]

Maybe ESPN should have had McAfee design it, he owns that dumpster fire!

 

[GophersInIowa]

Maybe ESPN should have had McAfee design it, he owns that dumpster fire!

He only knows tank tops.

 

[MonikerSchmoniker45]

Maybe ESPN should have had McAfee design it, he owns that dumpster fire!

Stephen A. would say that's preposterous!

 

[Taji34]

The fact that even on the comically big fake rings it's still hard to read "College Football Playoff" should have tipped someone off in the design process that it was bad.

 

[PMWinSTP]

Why wouldn't they go with some nice looking gold medals, and a contract and nice budget with Josten's to design and make the rings for the winner? If they go over the budget, the school pays the difference.