What’s going on, folks? So, Michael Jordan’s mom, Deloris Jordan, played a huge role in helping him land his Nike shoe deal—something that was practically unheard of at the time, especially getting a percentage of the profits. She told him, “You need to attend these meetings with the Nike executives,” even though he wasn’t really interested at first and was pretty reluctant.
During one key negotiation, Michael actually showed up four hours late to meet with Phil Knight because he had been out playing golf! But Deloris pushed him to go anyway. Thanks to her guidance, they were able to negotiate a deal that included a percentage of the profits instead of just a flat salary.
Michael also became the first NBA player to have his own logo on a shoe, a move that was unheard of at the time. Her involvement was instrumental—not just for Michael, but for setting a precedent for athletes getting royalties and signature deals. Those shoes are still selling today, and it’s likely that Michael has made more money from his sneakers than from his NBA career.
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