USA Today via Reuters
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts to the crowd during the fourth quarter during game three of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Jun 12, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) reacts to the crowd during the fourth quarter during game three of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jaylen Brown has been firing at Nike even harder after the Team USA controversy in 2024. Brown made it clear he wasn’t happy with Team USA choosing his Celtics teammate, Derrick White, as Kawhi Leonard’s replacement instead of him. The current Finals MVP tweeted, “@nike this is what we doing,” implying that Nike had a role in keeping him off the prestigious modern-day Dream Team roster as they were one of the roster’s biggest sponsors.
Well, that wasn’t the end of it. Recently, the NBA champ released a song called “Just Do It” with rapper A$AP Ferg. You know whose catchphrase those 3 words are, don’t you? Many see it as a subtle dig at the billion-dollar company from Jaylen Brown. Despite Nike being a major player in the footwear industry, Brown isn’t a fan. He’s even removed the iconic Swoosh from the shoes multiple times.
Jaylen Brown’s tension with Nike began in 2022 when they suspended its relationship with Kyrie Irving after he posted a link to an antisemitic film on Twitter (now X). Nike condemned Irving’s actions and severed ties with him. Following this, Nike chairman Phil Knight spoke out against the former Nets player’s actions, which led Jaylen Brown to tweet, “Since when did Nike care about ethics?”
With Jaylen Brown’s beef with Nike, is this really going to be good for the future of the NBA Finals MVP? He’s thrown shade at Nike more than a few times now, so he should know it’s a two-way street, or is it?
What does the future hold for Jaylen Brown after the Nike headshot?
We all know JB is easily the most prominent player without a shoe deal, and he’s been rocking Nike on the court most of the time. But with all these shots fired at Nike, a deal’s probably off the table forever. Even though it would be intriguing if Jaylen Brown landed a new shoe deal after being named Finals MVP last season, we can’t really expect Nike to hook him up with a deal after he openly dissed them.
USA Today via Reuters
May 7, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) before game one of the second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
Secondly, considering Nike is one of Team USA’s biggest sponsors, this beef won’t sit well with the team either. Even though Team USA’s Managing Director Grant Hill, kept an open mind, and mentioned that he’d consider Jaylen Brown for the 2028 Olympics, we can’t be too sure about that now, especially after he took shots at the company with his new song.
Team USA would be just fine without Jaylen Brown on the national squad, given their star-studded lineup of players to choose from, even though he’s one of Boston‘s talismans. Honestly, the same goes for his scoring partner, Jayson Tatum. However, this could impact the star players’ resume when it comes to the international stage and overall records.
What are your thoughts on this beef between Jaylen Brown and Nike?
Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.
Debate
Is Jaylen Brown right to call out Nike, or is he just stirring the pot for attention?