Once turning down $50 million, Jaylen Brown vows to NEVER bow for Nike to play for Team USA

Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown won't let his guard down in his beef with Nike over the Team USA controversy.

Once turning down $50 million, Jaylen Brown vows to NEVER bow for Nike to play for Team USA

Team USA sponsor Nike allegedly stopped Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown from playing in Paris Olympics

With the 2024-25 NBA season about to tip off, stars from all teams are wrapping up their offseason activities. Boston Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown decided to end it with two important events. One was his appearance on The Stephen A. Smith Show, where they talked about all the narratives that the Finals MVP was a part of.

The ESPN analyst met up with the superstar at the Celtics facilities to record the show. They first addressed some issues that blew up between the two of them. Then the discussion about why Jaylen Brown was not part of the Team USA Paris Olympics squad.

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In particular, host Stephen A. Smith asked the champion about the possibility of him playing for Team USA in the Los Angeles Olympics to be held in 2028. Brown, in reply, had a very clear view of the situation.

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In 2028, if I have to sign to Nike to increase my likelihood to play USA basketball, I’ll pass. I think shoe companies should have less control over the industry. Politics is not synonymous with basketball.

Jaylen Brown on playing in Los Angeles Olympics 2028

When pressed for a reason why he specifically mentioned Nike, Brown responded that it was because the sneaker giant sponsors Team USA. Therefore, they most likely have a say in who will be a part of the team. For Brown, who was never a part of the Nike family as a pro, his Paris Olympics dreams were over early.

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Nike and Jaylen Brown’s frosty relationship started well before the Paris Olympics

When Jaylen Brown came into the league in 2016, he was approached both by Nike and Adidas to be an ambassador. He signed with Adidas as he sought something different from the myriad of Nike-endorsed athletes. That deal lasted until 2021, after which became a sneaker-free agent.

The reason for his frosty relationship with Nike stems from him calling out the company for how they handled former teammate Kyrie Irving‘s deal. The two had parted ways after Irving’s antisemitic tweet blew up the internet.

Brown was critical of how the sneaker conglomerate undermined one of their most influential ambassadors in Irving. Then came the Paris Olympics controversy, which was the final nail in the coffin for Brown.

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What did pique the interest of many was that a few weeks later, the Boston Celtics superstar released his own sneaker brand, 741. Despite being offered $50 million in endorsements from established sneaker brands, he opted to pursue his own brand.