Michael Jordan is one of the few sporting personalities in the three-comma club, thanks to his Jordan brand which he created in association with Nike. The Jordan brand is now worth around a cool $5 billion. During the initial days when the brand was still coming together MJ allegedly triggered and offended his Hall of Famer NBA colleagues – one of the many tales from his storied career.
MJ was the first athlete in the NBA to have a brand formed around him. But that didn’t come without its own challenges. It was reported that Jordan was fined a hefty sum each time he stepped onto the court donning his own shoe brand. That didn’t deter the six time champion from promoting Air Jordans though.
MJ once triggered Isiah Thomas
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In Jordan’s famous interview given to Vanity Fair he opened up about his life and career. He spoke on the time when he once offended his famous rival, Detroit Piston legend Isiah Thomas. The six-time champion elaborated on how Thomas got seriously triggered during the initial days of the formation of the Jordan brand, when it was still coming up.
Jordan said, “The last thing I wanted to do at the 1985 All-Star Game was draw even more attention to myself.” He added, “I broke out the first Nike Air Jordan sweats during the slam-dunk competition, and certain players?Detroit Piston guard Isiah Thomas and Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks for starters?thought I was being disrespectful. I thought I was doing Nike a favor.”?
MJ wanted to stay away from all the ruckus and chaos that comes along with being the biggest name in the league. But somehow unintentionally he ended up triggering the Pistons great and the legendary point guard Isiah Thomas.
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Irrespective of all the attempts Mike made at avoiding attention, in the end it went all in vain. One cannot deny the power of the Jordan brand as it’s still making some big moves in the NBA.
The Jordan brand’s latest signing
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Michael Jordan’s Air Jordan was in the news for signing Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans last year. The Jordan brand still holds a certain amount of power in influencing some big names to come onboard. It was reported that Michael Jordan himself still makes a godly amount of money through his brand.
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