NBA won’t allow Michael Jordan to choose players who get Jordan shoe deals
The NBA says that Michael Jordan isn’t allowed to choose which players get shoe deals with Jordan brand
Michael Jordan is regarded by most as the greatest NBA player of all time. Jordan also used that fame from his playing days to be the driving force behind one of the most successful shoe brands of all time; the Jordan brand is synonymous with sports and basketball in particular. Michael Jordan is also the current owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
Jordan’s position as an NBA owner puts him in an interesting position considering his power regarding the Jordan brand as well. What’s to stop him from giving Hornets players so-called special treatment in regards to the Jordan brand? Apparently the NBA is the right answer to that question.
On Tuesday afternoon, ESPN’s Darren Rovell reported that the NBA has said that Jordan can no longer make the decision as to which players get Jordan shoe deals:
NBA says MJ can't choose who gets a Jordan shoe deal because of cap rules. (At least 6 Hornets have gotten Jordan deals in last 7 years.)
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 25, 2015
Considering the note that Rovell gives in that tweet that six Hornets players have received deals with the Jordan brand over the past seven years, this decision from the league is less than surprising.
While I’m sure that MJ himself is peeved that he can no longer choose who represents his brand, it’s a wise move by the NBA to prevent any abuse of power. Even the possibility of “wink-wink” deals in free agency regarding Jordan shoe deals and the Hornets is enough for this ruling from the league to be put into place.
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