Young players should NOT sign with $6 billion worth Jordan brand for one reason, according to ex-NBA star

Air Jordan is a 10-figure behemoth brand today.

Young players should NOT sign with $6 billion worth Jordan brand for one reason, according to ex-NBA star

Michael Jordan (via NBA History)

Michael Jordan signed with Nike back in 1984. Ever since, the Jordan brand has been the most selling brand in the sneaker industry. Not only that, but various other players have also signed endorsement deals with the brand. Some of the players include Luka Doncic, Russell Westbrook, Zion Williamson, Jayson Tatum, and others.

Though former NBA player, Gilbert Arenas, would rather advise prospects not to sign with the Jordan brand. While being a popular worldwide icon, the brand originated from Michael Jordan himself. Air Jordan, the brand had many faces back in the day. Arenas on the other hand gave a pretty good reason about why not to sign with Jordan.

YouTube video

Arenas said:

FS Video
I advise kids not to sign under the Jordan tag. The reason, not because... Obviously Jordan is Jordan. But it's a actual person. So you signing under him, you're signing under the person himself, who has a visible face that is iconic to basketball... Your shoe line can come out tomorrow and he can drop a 12 retro in a weird color and everybody forgot about your shoe.
Gilbert Arenas said

Russell Westbrook signed with Jordan back in 2012. However, to this day, none of his signature shoes have had a major breakout. The same goes for other players on the list. The Jordans that are more favorable to buy are the editions that came out way earlier. Fans are more interested in buying those same sneakers in different colorways. Nonetheless, when it comes to monetary stakes, the Jordan brand generates a staggering 10 figures annually.

Michael Jordan earned a hefty amount in 2023

Air Jordans generated an annual revenue of $5.2 billion in 2022. The same revenue jumped to $6.59 billion in 2023. Not only that, but the Black Cat himself earned around $330 million from Nike in 2023. MJ has earned over $1.5 billion from his endorsement deal ever since he signed the contract in 1984.

If one looks at players like Luka Doncic, who signed a 5-year $207 million deal with the Jordan brand, the Slovenian will earn a major bag annually. However, his shoes won’t have much recognition.

Arenas gave a valid reason to not sign under a brand that was born by a person. Players like LeBron James, and Stephen Curry, have been extremely successful athletes when it comes to endorsements. The two have their signature shoes, whereas Curry now has his own brand just like MJ. Players should look to represent their personality through their very own signature shoe line.

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