Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant Obsess Over “The First Big Nike Guy” Who Signed a $150,000 Deal

Despite having significant skills, some players tend to fly under the radar without much discussion. This can even happen to the icon whose poster Magic Johnson had in his college dorm. From legends like Michael Jordan to modern superstars like Kevin Durant, the “Iceman” was an inspiration for many generations of NBA talent.

Due to his split career between the ABA and the NBA, the 14-season veteran is often missing from people’s all-time lists. However, the NBA commemorated him in their 50th and 75th anniversary teams. And now, NBA legends remind the world of the one and only, George Gervin.

Nicknamed Iceman, Gervin was not just one of the hottest scorers in the league but also one of its coolest heads. He was also one of the first basketball stars to strike a deal with Nike. Previously, the legend had a deal with Adidas. However, he left the company when Nike offered about $150,000 for his signature in the 1970s. But more than money, Nike brought Gervin a newfound status.

In a recent clip shared by the official page of TNT, the entire story was revealed by the legend himself. Gervin said, “I became a Nike Guy back in the 70’s.” He also showed the logo that was emblazed on the shoe. Using his “Iceman” imagery, Nike crafted a shoe and poster so iconic that NBA legends are still talking about nearly 5o years later!

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The clip also showed other stars such as Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson praising the legend. In fact, Johnson even admitted to having the iconic Gervin poster in his college dorm room. Durant is also one of the players who is amazed by Gervin’s legacy.

George Gervin perched confidently atop a block of ice encapsulated the cool and composed demeanor that earned him his iconic nickname. How Nike used the persona and the image of the “Iceman” paved the way for future generations of athletes to leverage their image and brand. But there was another player before him who allowed Nike entry into the basketball market.

Nike’s deal with NBA players in the 70s

Gervin was indeed one of the iconic and earliest players to ink a deal with Nike. However, he wasn’t the first NBA player to do so. Geoff Petrie of the Portland Trailblazers has that distinction.

Petrie was the Rookie of the Year in 1971. He changed from Converse to the then Blue Ribbon Sports, following his rookie campaign. While the majority of athletes sought deals with Converse and Adidas, a select few, including Spencer Haywood, shifted the paradigm by joining hands with the then-emerging brand Nike.

Thankfully, George Gervin sealed the deal at $150,000. Haywood, on the other hand, was offered one of the best deals ever – stock options in the company in 1973. Unfortunately, he turned it down.

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Have you ever seen the “Iceman” play? Who is your favorite NBA star to have endorsed for Nike? Let us know in the comments section below