Before Signing for Nike, MLB Legend Derek Jeter Followed Michael Jordan’s Footsteps Becoming Only the 2nd Athlete for $19 Billion Company

There are only a handful of players who are as famous and talented as the Major League Baseball legend Derek Jeter. Jeter played for the New York Yankees and spent his entire career on the Yankees. A legend of the game, he was one of the best shortstops to grace the game of baseball. He can easily be on the list of top 10 shortstops of all time. Michael Jordan, the GOAT of basketball, was also a friend of Derek Jeter.

Their friendship grew prominently after Jeter joined the Jordan brand as one of the brand ambassadors. Jordan himself influenced the joining.

Derek Jeter on his endorsement with Jordan

Jeter was one of the most bankable athletes of that time. And MJ took full advantage of that. Jordan made Jeter the first baseball endorser in the brand after his contract with FILA ended in the late-nineties. The brand started to make the signature shoe for Jeter in the early months of 2002. Jeter used to wear cleats on baseball diamond. But the shoes were produced as trainers too so that the product could be worn casually as well. The product now comes in 13 different editions after getting first produced in the early 2000s.

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With this, Derek Jeter became the only athlete after Michael Jordan to become the longest running signature athlete of Nike. The product achieved great heights with his name on it. 

Derek Jeter praised by Michael Jordan

There is a saying that ‘Greatness recognizes Greatness’ and that was the case with MJ and David Jeter. Derek Jeter was often found getting praised by MJ and vice versa. 

Such an instance was when Michael Jordan was found penning a congratulatory note to Jeter before his retirement in 2014.  Jordan admired the highly competitive spirit of Jeter. He was also present in his retirement ceremony.

Jeter recalled in an interview with Lou DiPietro of YES Network, “We first met when I was in Arizona Fall League, when he was playing baseball”. He also revealed that MJ was like an older brother to him, with whom he was able to share many things both on and of the field.

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Both Michael Jordan and Derek Jeter have huge respect for each other. They were often found praising each other.