Meet George Raveling, man responsible for Michael Jordan earning $250M+ every year

Michael Jordan signed with Nike and launched Air Jordan which eventually became a $7 billion brand on its own.

Meet George Raveling, man responsible for Michael Jordan earning $250M+ every year

George Raveling pushed Michael Jordan towards the direction of Nike

Before Michael Jordan began his awe-inspiring NBA career, he was a standout prospect out of the University of North Carolina. But even before setting foot on an NBA court, he signed with Nike in a deal that would alter the course of sneakers and merchandise forever.

Adidas and Skechers also courted Jordan to be their next star endorsee. Skechers were seemingly out of the race as they already had Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on their roster. A young Jordan wanted to be different and was leaning towards Adidas.

He liked the brand and has always played in them. They offered a brilliant deal, and he was inclined to sign. But at the behest of his mother, Deloris Jordan, he agreed to listen to Nike’s pitch. As depicted in the movie ‘Air’, he was initially disinterested, but eventually signed.

The brand designed the first signature shoe and named it ‘Air Jordan’, after Jordan’s agent David Faulk recommended the name. But in between all of this was the head coach of Iowa’s men’s basketball team, George Raveling, who also had a hand in Jordan signing with Nike.

While speaking on the Rich Eisen Show a while ago, he detailed how his conversations with Jordan panned out. Raveling was an assistant coach on the 1984 Team USA Olympics squad. That is where he tried to convince Michael Jordan to speak with Nike.

But he refused even though Nike wanted to give him a signature shoe. But his constant conversations eventually reached Jordan’s mother, and she insisted they should at least listen to Nike’s pitch before deciding. Thanks to George Raveling’s insistence, Jordan signed with Nike and earns $250 million or so per year from sales.

George Raveling reveals Michael Jordan helps a lot of people

As per Forbes, Michael Jordan has a current net worth of $3.5 billion. With that money, he does spend on some lavish purchases. His affinity for exotic cars is evident with the custom orders he sends out to top manufacturers. But at the same time, George Raveling knows His Airness helps a lot of people.

As great a player as Michael Jordan was, I think he is a greater human being. People don’t know a lot of the things he has done behind the scenes. He would get criticism because he doesn’t do this, that’s all BS. I know personally things that he has done, that the public doesn’t know, that were helping people live a better life.

George Raveling said

The Hall of Famer coach added that the now 62-year-old does not like bragging about it. That is why most of his deeds do not reach the public’s eye. Some do end up becoming public, such as his efforts to provide needy people proper medical healthcare.

His $10 million collaboration with Novant Health has helped start two health clinics in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina. Raveling believes there are a lot more things Jordan does for people and not everyone knows about them.

George Raveling does not remind Michael Jordan of his role in Nike deal

Towards the end of his discussion, host Rich Eisen asked George Raveling if he ever reminds Michael Jordan about his role. Eisen mentioned the phrase, ‘I told you so’, referring to the life-altering deal His Airness signed with Nike. To this the former Nike executive answered.

None. I wouldn’t dare say that to him.

George Raveling said

The 87-year-old joking said this, suggesting he does not want to hear the end of it from the 6-time NBA champion. He knows Jordan’s mannerisms and would not want to be on the receiving end of one of his rebuttals.