The NBA is the pinnacle of basketball. No other league or competition comes close to the NBA. It has the best facilities, the best players, and the best strategic minds of the game. While numerous exceptional players have graced the NBA, only a select few can attain the status of an icon, and none have embodied that distinction more than Michael Jordan. For many, Jordan is the greatest of all time.

But, in recent years, players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry have rivaled Jordan in the G.O.A.T debate. Nevertheless, NFL legend Shannon Sharpe thinks that one move maneuvered by Jordan elevates him above all others.

Jordan’s deal with Nike, a game-changer

Recently, Shannon Sharpe voiced his opinion regarding the greatest NBA player of all time. During a conversation with Gilbert Arenas on his podcast, the NightCap, Sharpe said that Jordan’s shoe deal with Nike puts him above the rest. He said, “We had never seen anything like Michael. We had never seen anybody that could level his flair for the game …. Then the best thing and the worst thing to ever happen to everybody else; is gotta be the shoes.” 

In 1984, Jordan signed a five-year deal worth $2.5 million with Nike, which was three times more than any such deal in the NBA, at that point in time. Nike released the “Air Jordans” in April 1985, with a modest goal of recuperating $3 million in three years. However, Michael Jordan’s influence was so profound that Nike generated $126 million in revenue from the sales of Jordans in a single year. The story has even made its way to Hollywood, where a film titled “Air” was released in 2023, featuring A-list stars like Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. Jordan still remains one of the most prominent brands in modern pop culture.

Jordan brand a cash cow for Michael Jordan

There are only four athletes that have amassed a billion-dollar valuation, and Michael Jordan is one of them. However, Jordan only earned $94 million dollars during his illustrious career. Jordan’s endorsement deals with brands like Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade have helped Jordan achieve a billion-dollar valuation. MJ continues to earn hundreds of millions through his partnership with Nike.

Currently, Jordan is entitled to 5% royalties on Jordan Brand’s shoe sales. During the 2022 financial year, MJ pocketed a mind-blogging $256.1 million because the Nike Air Jordan brand earned a total revenue of $5.1 billion. It is estimated that Jordan has earned approximately $1.3 billion from Nike. This remains one of the most sound financial decisions of Michael Jordan’s entire life.

Watch this Story: Impressing A’ja Wilson With NCAA Fierceness, Angel Reese Opens Up About Impact on WNBA