Barry Bonds never got to rock the Jumpman logo during his playing days, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t jump at the opportunity now. The all-time home run king recently reflected on his past sneaker deals and threw out a playful pitch to Michael Jordan’s $6.5 billion brand.

During a conversation about his career and endorsements, Bonds revealed that he was briefly with Nike early on, but the brand ultimately focused on Ken Griffey Jr. as their baseball face. And let’s be honest—Nike made the right call. Griffey was the young phenom, the son of a big leaguer, and had that effortless swagger. So while Nike backed “The Kid,” Bonds took a different route.

“Fila came over to me and offered me a deal of a lifetime at the time,” Bonds explained on Thursday’s episode of All the Smoke. “They offered me the world at that time, and I was like, perfect.”

For a guy who dominated baseball like few ever have, Barry Bonds wasn’t exactly hurting for brand recognition. His partnership with FILA was unique in a baseball world dominated by Nike and Adidas. He had his own line of cleats and sneakers, proving FILA was willing to bet big on a player known as much for his elite talent as for his polarizing personality.

But now, decades later, Bonds can’t help but wonder what could have been.

“I mean, I’d love to be with Jordan now,” he said with a grin. “Mike, I’m right here. You know.”  

Bonds pitching himself to Jordan Brand is classic Barry—confident, direct, and maybe even a little tongue-in-cheek. But it does make you think: what if? A Barry Bonds-Jordan collaboration would be wild, especially considering the cultural crossover potential. However, would Jordan Brand actually consider bringing Bonds into the fold? That’s a long shot. But Bonds’ playful comment shows he hasn’t lost his edge. Even after retirement, he still knows how to make headlines.

Could Barry Bonds x Jordan brand become a reality?

At first glance, a Bonds-Jordan partnership might seem far-fetched, but it’s not entirely out of the question. Jordan Brand has dabbled in baseball before—Derek Jeter had his own custom cleats, and current stars like Mookie Betts frequently sport Jumpman gear. Even NFL legends like Randy Moss and Davante Adams have rocked Jordan cleats, proving the brand’s reach extends well beyond basketball.

With Bonds’ iconic status, a collaboration—whether vintage-style cleats, sneakers, or apparel—could create major buzz.

But there’s an elephant in the room. Bonds’ legacy is still complicated. His ties to performance-enhancing drugs have made him a controversial figure, and many brands have been hesitant to associate with him. However, public perception of Bonds has softened over the years, with nostalgia for his era growing stronger.

If Jordan Brand ever decides to make a move within the baseball community, it could potentially alter the game by releasing an edition in collaboration with Bonds. After all, sports brands are fond of comeback tales, and only a few personalities in baseball’s past are as captivating as Barry Bonds.

If nothing else, it’s a reminder that baseball’s home run king still has some unfinished business in the sneaker game. And if Jordan’s listening, well, Bonds just gave him the easiest pitch he’ll ever get.