McDonald’s: The Showdown featuring Michael Jordan and Larry Bird
McDonald’s: The Showdown is a classic Super Bowl commercial featuring basketball legends Michael Jordan and Larry Bird. The ad begins with Michael Jordan preparing to eat a Big Mac when Larry Bird interrupts him, challenging him to a game of HORSE for the sandwich. The simple game quickly escalates into a ridiculous series of nearly impossible trick shots, with the players going to extreme lengths—off the rafters, over the river, through a window—to outdo each other.
The ad cleverly mixes humor, star power, and a sense of playful competition, all while subtly reinforcing McDonald’s as the ultimate reward. It leaves a lasting impression with its iconic tagline: “Nothing but net.” This commercial became a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its creativity and the charismatic rivalry between two basketball greats. To this day, it remains one of McDonald’s most memorable and beloved ads.
The Ad-Meter Results
Note: The Ad-Meter is based on research about What Makes a Good Video Ad. The analysis is done with the help of a trained AI model.
| Category | Trait | Score (0–10) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attention | Hook | 9 | Bird and Jordan set up a fun game of HORSE, capturing attention quickly, though the setup could have been faster. |
| Aesthetics | 9 | Well-executed visuals enhance the humor and playful tone. | |
| Pace | 10 | Keeps the viewer engaged with a perfect balance of humor and competitive tension. | |
| Branding | Brand Presence | 10 | McDonald’s branding is seamlessly integrated into the narrative. |
| Audio Reinforcement | 8 | Solid sound design but lacks an iconic music or jingle to enhance recall. | |
| Catchphrases (Taglines) | 9 | “Nothing but net” became a memorable phrase tied to the ad and basketball culture. | |
| Connection | Storytelling | 10 | A relatable and humorous narrative connects deeply with viewers. |
| Character | 10 | Jordan and Bird’s dynamic relationship and competitive spirit elevate the ad. | |
| Message Alignment | 10 | The light-hearted tone perfectly fits McDonald’s brand identity. | |
| Direction | Call-to-Action (CTA) | 8 | Encourages viewers to think of McDonald’s for fun moments but isn’t overt. |
| Unique Selling Point (USP) | 9 | Connects McDonald’s with iconic players and sports culture effectively. | |
| Extras | Iconic Moments | 10 | The trick-shot HORSE game became legendary in sports advertising. |
| Timing | 10 | Released during the Super Bowl with basketball icons, maximizing relevance. |
AD-METER SCORE: Legendary.
Total Points: 122/130
Final Score (Percentage): 94%
Summary: “The Showdown” sets the gold standard for sports-themed ads by pairing Michael Jordan and Larry Bird in a fun, relatable, and competitive game of HORSE. The ad’s humor, pacing, and character dynamics make it an instant classic. The clever integration of McDonald’s branding, combined with its iconic catchphrase “Nothing but net,” ensures the brand remains central to the narrative. The ad resonates across diverse audiences, leveraging the Super Bowl stage and the enduring popularity of Jordan and Bird to achieve maximum impact. Its balance of storytelling, branding, and memorable moments makes it one of the best sports commercials ever produced.
