Watersmeet Nimrods: Life After the Spotlight
A dozen years after the ESPN spot, Watersmeet (pop. 1,383) is pretty much back to normal.
THEN: The Nimrods, a high school basketball team in Watersmeet, Mich., appeared in Kiplinger’s in 2004 after the team and the town were featured in an ESPN commercial for the team’s unusual name (taken from a biblical warrior) and the town’s outsize school spirit. The TV spotlight garnered national attention for the team and coach George Peterson, including an appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Sales of team merchandise skyrocketed to more than $130,000 over a few months.
NOW: Team merchandise sales generated by the ESPN commercial and resulting publicity eventually topped $500,000. The school used the proceeds to set up a fund that continues to provide scholarships for Watersmeet graduates who go to college.
A later attempt to capitalize on the Nimrod name was less successful. In 2007, the Sundance Channel produced Nimrod Nation, an eight-part documentary that tracked life in the small town over a single basketball season. Led to believe that team merchandise sales would grow exponentially after the show aired, the school paid a law firm $1,700 an hour, to the tune of $67,800, to secure trademarks for the Nimrod name and logo. The documentary “wasn’t as popular as the ESPN commercial,” says Peterson, still the basketball coach (as well as the school principal). “After all was said and done, we didn’t make a lot of money.”
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
The series proved to be a letdown for many locals as well, says Peterson. “People from our area thought it portrayed us as something we weren’t. It seemed as if people were baited to act a certain way for the benefit of the show. But most of the people from out of our area loved it.”
A dozen years after the ESPN spot, Watersmeet (pop. 1,383) is pretty much back to normal. The current basketball team members, most of whom were in second grade when the ESPN commercial aired, barely remember the 2004 team and, as of early January, had yet to post a victory. “We have a lot of talent, but it’s a young team. It has to develop,” says Peterson. Merchandise sales run a respectable but not spectacular $5,000 to $10,000 a year. As for Peterson, he still marvels at Watersmeet’s brief encounter with fame. “There are days when I wake up and pinch myself,” he says. “I can’t believe it happened to little old Watersmeet.”
-
Use An iPhone? You May Be Hearing From A Class-Action Lawsuit Group
A handful of suits against the iPhone maker seek to crack down on everything from app store purchases to messaging.
By Keerthi Vedantam Published
-
Capital One/Discover: What's In Their Wallet For You?
Push back on Capital One's planned merger with Discover is growing with one group of consumer advocates calling for a public hearing.
By Keerthi Vedantam Published
-
Best Foreclosure Sites for Finding Properties
Making Your Money Last Wondering how to find foreclosed homes for sale for your next residence or to flip for a profit? These websites will guide you to foreclosures and real estate-owned properties to buy.
By Bob Niedt Last updated
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnb
real estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
By Miriam Cross Published
-
Is Relief from Shipping Woes Finally in Sight?
business After years of supply chain snags, freight shipping is finally returning to something more like normal.
By David Payne Published
-
Economic Pain at a Food Pantry
personal finance The manager of this Boston-area nonprofit has had to scramble to find affordable food.
By Emma Patch Published
-
The Golden Age of Cinema Endures
small business About as old as talkies, the Music Box Theater has had to find new ways to attract movie lovers.
By Emma Patch Published
-
Pricey Gas Derails This Uber Driver
small business With rising gas prices, one Uber driver struggles to maintain his livelihood.
By Emma Patch Published
-
Smart Strategies for Couples Who Run a Business Together
Financial Planning Starting an enterprise with a spouse requires balancing two partnerships: the marriage and the business. And the stakes are never higher.
By Alina Tugend Published
-
Fair Deals in a Tough Market
small business When you live and work in a small town, it’s not all about profit.
By Emma Patch Published