Michael Jordan almost didn’t just do it.
The 57-year-old old NBA legend made the stunning revelation that he wanted to sign with Adidas over Nike but his parents made him consider otherwise.
Jordan admitted that he was leaning toward the German sportswear company over the upstart American company in episode 5 of his highly-popular 10-part ESPN docuseries, The Last Dance, which aired on Sunday night.
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It’s gotta be the shoes: Michael Jordan made the stunning revelation that he wanted to sign with Adidas over Nike but his parents made him consider otherwise
No doubt it was a shocking revelation as his partnership with Nike went on to generate billions of dollars in revenue and his signature shoe line is the most iconic of all-time.
As the Chicago Bulls shooting guard wanted to sign with Adidas, he had to be forced by his mother, Deloris, to attend a pitch meeting with the up-and-coming company.
‘My mother said. “You’re gonna go listen. You may not like it, but you’re gonna go listen,”‘ Jordan said. ‘She made me get on that plane and go listen.’
Checks over stripes: Jordan, 57, admitted that he was leaning toward the German sportswear company over the upstart American company in episode 5 of his highly-popular 10-part ESPN docuseries, The Last Dance, which aired on Sunday night
Options: The Chicago Bulls shooting guard wanted to sign with Adidas
Wise: However he had to be forced by his mother, Deloris, to attend a pitch meeting with the up-and-coming company, as they are seen together in 1988
Despite his reservations, Jordan met with the American sportswear company as he received encouragement from his other parent James R. Jordan, Sr.
‘Go into that meeting not wanting to be there, and Nike made this big pitch,’ Michael said. ‘My father said, “You’d have to be a fool not taking this deal. This is the best deal.”‘
Despite the athlete’s eagerness to join the Adidas team, the company did not feel as inclined to make him the offer he desired nor would they be open to giving him his own signature shoe.
‘She made me get on that plane and go listen’: Jordan seemed to have his heart set on Adidas but took the meeting anyway
‘This is the best deal’: Despite his reservations, Jordan met with the American sportswear company as he received encouragement from his other parent James R. Jordan, Sr, they are seen together in 1991
Converse was the biggest brand of the era but did not see him as a priority as they already had contracts with the two biggest NBA stars at the time: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.
Jordan’s jump to Nike seemed to be the right move as they were working on ‘Air’ technology which eventually turned into the shoe that created sneaker culture: Air Jordan I.
It was a quick payoff for both the brand and player as they only expected to make $3million in sales the first four years but it sold $126million in the first year alone.
Flight: Jordan’s jump to Nike seemed to be the right move as they were working on ‘Air’ technology which eventually turned into the shoe that created sneaker culture: Air Jordan I, he is seen wearing the original ‘Chicago’ colorway in 1984
Man from Mars: Through marketing – including advertising featuring Spike Lee (seen at The Oscars with wife Tonya back in February) – they were able to grow the Air Jordan brand rapidly as it eventually became its own standalone brand
Through marketing – including advertising featuring Spike Lee – they were able to grow the Air Jordan brand rapidly as it eventually became its own standalone brand.
According to Forbes, Jordan has been paid $1.3 billion since inking the deal in 1984 which is still considered a bargain considering the amount of revenue the partnership has created.
For example, the Jordan Brand had a revenue of $3.1 in the fiscal year ending May 2019 alone according to the site.
Icon: According to Forbes , Jordan has been paid $1.3 billion since inking the deal in 1984 which is still considered a bargain considering the amount of revenue the partnership has created
Swish for the Swoosh: For example, the Jordan Brand had a revenue of $3.1 in the fiscal year ending May 2019 alone according to the site
Jordan’s current net worth is $2.1 billion.
The 10-part docuseries charts the rise of the 1990’s Chicago Bulls, led by Michael Jordan, one of the most notable dynasties in sports history.
The Last Dance, airs on ESPN in two hour-long episodes on Sundays at 9pm.
GOAT: The Last Dance, airs on ESPN in two hour-long episodes on Sundays at 9pm