Donald Trump administration wildly calls out Michael Jordan’s team and brand to identify gang members

Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan's Jordan Brand in collaboration with Nike has grown globally to a $7 billion valuation.

Donald Trump administration wildly calls out Michael Jordan’s team and brand to identify gang members

Donald Trump's administration looking for gang members wearing Michael Jordan's Jordan Brand & Chicago Bulls merchandise

Michael Jordan built a legacy through his basketball career that helped him and Nike start and build the Jordan Brand. That brand has grown to such an extent that it dominates the global sportswear market. Fans from all corners of the world still want to get their hands on those merchandise.

That global impact has seen the brand develop to a valuation of approximately $7 billion. Its performance has even surpassed parent company Nike on many occasions. Nike has been struggling off late, but Air Jordan is still on the rise.

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Stores still maintain a stock of Jordan Brand and Chicago Bulls merchandise even though His Airness retired from the league two decades ago. Now as per Sportico, those merchandise has become an identifying tool for the Donald Trump administration.

A document from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicates that Chicago
Bulls jerseys and Jordan Brand tattoos or shoes can “help identify” members of
a Venezuelan gang.

Sportico wrote

The Donald Trump administration have been keeping an eye out for members of the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. Members wear Chicago Bulls No. 23 jerseys made famous by Jordan and sport tattoos featuring the Air Jordan logo.

The White House is using the Alien Enemies Act to deport suspected members of the gang. They have already deported many and are on the outlook for other members who wear Michael Jordan merchandise and have his logo tattooed on their bodies.

Gang expert not buying Michael Jordan’s Jumpman tattoo ID claim

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a document revealing these identification marks. However, Bill Hing, a law professor and co-director of the University of San Francisco’s immigration and deportation defense clinic, does not believe the tattoos are used by the gang to identify themselves.

It’s very evident that just having a Michael Jordan tattoo does not necessarily mean
that a person is a gang member.

Bill Hing told NBC News

Considering how the Donald Trump administration has hit back at outside suggestions, it is unlikely that they will pay heed to Bill Hing’s opinion. They are enforcing the Alien Enemies Act and are going to do everything needed to deport them.

Trump’s campaign banked on his promises of closing the border and deporting certain classes of immigrants. It is unlikely his administration will stop at anything. But the downside to this is that Nike and Michael Jordan find themselves being dragged into this.

Nike and Chicago Bulls maintain silence

If this situation drags out and the Donald Trump administration do arrest gang members wearing Jordan Brand as well as Chicago Bulls merchandise, it will be a bad look on both entities. Sportico reached out to both Nike and the Chicago Bulls for a comment, but they declined.

Nike is already going through a bad time. On top of that, any affiliation to gangs will only damage their image. Jordan Brand will also likely be severely impacted if its buying population are aware that wearing them can lead to an arrest.

No one wants the police to arrest them just for wearing Michael Jordan’s merchandise. However, no one wants to get into an argument with ICE or DHS officials as well. Unless the administration makes changes to that document revealing these identification marks, Nike, its Jordan Brand and the Chicago Bulls are likely to suffer.