Having Earned $150,000,000 for Billionaire Michael Jordan, MLB Legend Derek Jeter Confessed Personal Reason Behind His Decision to Take a Bite of the Nike Pie

Captain Clutch Derek Jeter always recognized those who contributed to his success. Chief among these supporters is the one and only Michael Jordan. The NBA legend first encountered the New York Yankees icon before Jeter’s major league debut in 1994. From that point, the pair forged a close relationship that they considered each other brothers, supporting one another through peaks and troughs. As their friendship matured, Jeter became a representative of the Nike brand alongside Jordan.

Not long after retiring from Major League Baseball, the 14-time All-Star divulged the genuine motivation behind partnering with Jordan in representing Nike’s Jordan brand.

Who could have urged Derek Jeter to represent Nike?

Being a Major League Baseball player comes with many perks, such as handsome salaries, access to top-notch facilities, the opportunity to become the face of multiple brands, and more. However, until 1999, no baseball player had ever been associated with Nike’s Jordan brand, making Derek Jeter’s association a special moment. After retiring in 2014, Jeter gave his fans an unprecedented glimpse into his life by releasing a book called “Jeter Unfiltered.” And one of those glimpses included Jeter’s partnership with Jordan.

Read More: “He’ll Be There for Us.” When 5x World Series Champions Derek Jeter Praised His Frenemy Alex Rodriguez Amidst Their Stressed Relationship!

About the same, he wrote in his book, “I’ve been with Jordan Brand since 1999, and it’s been such a great thing. I initially met Michael when he was playing baseball in 1994 in the Arizona Fall League. When he asked me to be a part of the brand, I was honored that he would ask me. He’s like a brother to me now because our relationship has grown throughout the years. To be the first baseball player on his brand was flattering, to say the least.” 

The brand’s first ballplayer, Derek Jeter, brought Michael Jordan over $150,000,000 in a year. But the five-time World Series winner’s journey with Nike did not end with his retirement.

Nike’s Jeter-Jordan continues

Nike might have paid tribute to Jeter in the most memorable way possible in 2014. But his journey with Nike was not ending as his career did as a Yankee. Hence, two years after retiring, Captain Clutch got an extension of his contract in 2016. According to the new contract, Jeter became the Captain of the Jordan brand’s training category. The new role came with another responsibility for Jeter to assist Nike in selecting new baseball endorsers.

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Nike wasn’t ready to part ways with Jeter just yet. But did you expect it would be MJ who intentionally or not inspired Jeter to join him in Nike’s Jordans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!