The 2008 Beijing Olympics will be the biggest sporting event of the year, and one of the largest advertising outlets. Branding within the Olympics has always been extremely cut throat and this year is no exception. Team USA will again be sponsored by Nike. This team photo shows the full roster of 12 players. Here’s a couple things to highlight from this picture:

• 11 out of 12 players are Nike(Including subsidiary Jordan Brand and Converse) endorsed. Even Coach Mike Kryzyzeski is the Head Coach of Duke; a Nike sponsored and strongly supported D1 NCAA team.
• All of the 11 Nike sponsored athletes have their Nike shoes visually evident.
• Dwight Howard(Adidas) the only non-Nike athlete’s shoes are blocked.
• Dwight Howard is also the only player with the Nike Swoosh on his shorts blocked.

Nike conspiracy? Or just a random coincidence because the athletes are arranged from tallest to shortest?