“Oh, You Killed That One!”: How Derek Jeter’s Innate Personality Drew NBA Legend Michael Jordan’s Eye to Grow His $4.8 Billion Brand

A journey that started in the Arizona League grew in two separate directions. Michael Jordan, who abruptly retired from the NBA to pursue a career in baseball, went on to win six NBA Championships by the time he retired from the game in 2003. Derek Jeter, on the other hand, had just entered the world of professional baseball and went on to win five World Championships with the New York Yankees.

Notably, when Jordan launched his excessively popular shoe brand Jordan, he picked Jeter as his first ambassador. From the two bonding as brothers to sharing the same tailor, the two Hall of Famers go way back. But what made Michael Jordan select Derek Jeter as his first brand ambassador? In an interview with GQ Sports, a top fashion expert, Allen Onyia explains the primary reason behind the giant signing.

What was the sole reason that pushed Michael Jordan to open his brand signings with Derek Jeter?

Onyia started by talking about the magnanimous size of the sign, before moving to talk about that one particular Jeter quality that persuaded Jordan to sign with him.

Onyia said, “Jordan was a huge huge brand. And so, for Jordan to anoint him to being the first Jordan athlete was huge. When Jordan kind of gave him that mark, you had to respect it.”

Then, he revealed the reason, “So I think what Jordan loved about Derek Jeter was that Derek Jeter reminded him a lot of himself.”

Read More: “…You Can Play in the Major Leagues” – Derek Jeter Divulges Into Making a Shocking Prediction About Michael Jordan’s Baseball Career Had He Not Retired

Moving on, Onyia spoke about the similarities in Jeter and Jordan’s fashion styles. And how that rooted back to them sharing the same tailor.

He narrated, “When he signed that Jordan brand contract you know Jordan’s like ‘Here this is my suit guy, Imma hook you up.’ And Jeter’s like looking, ‘Hey, if Jordan tells you that this is his suit guy. I’m going with it.’”

Watch this story: From Mariah Carey to Lara Dutta: Derek Jeter’s star-studded dating history

Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter first met in Arizona, when Jordan announced his first retirement from the NBA. Since then, the sporting duo has come a really long way. What do you think about their relationship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!