Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike — and the Nike subsidiary Jordan Brand — undeniably changed how people look at sneakers. With the help of Jordan’s influence and popularity, sneakers broke into the fashion realm in ways they never previously could. And it all started with the Nike Air Jordan 1 sneakers.
But one thing is for certain: Adidas executives should avoid the fifth episode of ESPN’s The Last Dance.
During the fifth installment of the 10-part series, it was revealed that Jordan really did prefer to sign with Adidas over Nike. He loved Adidas’ shoes, but Adidas told Jordan and his representatives that the company couldn’t make a shoe work at the time … they didn’t even offer Jordan (!!!). So, he signed with Nike.
"Did you have a shoe company that you wanted to go with?"
Michael Jordan: "That was Adidas."
Welp, that's one hell of a missed opportunity for Adidas. Worked out pretty well for Nike. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/qU0j8PVs2f
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 4, 2020
Ouch. That was honestly a company-changing missed opportunity. Adidas’ inability to make a deal work with Jordan opened the door for Nike to become the giant that they currently are in the shoe space.
That revelation deservedly had NBA fans roasting Adidas.
the Adidas executives who passed up on Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/wTeqOy2qOa
— Isaac K. Lee (@IsaacKLee) May 4, 2020
Adidas blew it with MJ and Bron Bron. Tough scene.
— Aye throw that Boyz II Men on (@DragonflyJonez) May 4, 2020
Adidas fumbled Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron but hey at least they have Kanye 🤒
— Another Man 🇨🇦 (@Kameron_Hay) May 4, 2020
Adidas passed on Jordan? And here I thought this was adidas' worst decision. pic.twitter.com/ilEaYFNbNl
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) May 4, 2020
Jordan to Adidas is the greatest “what-if” in sneaker history
— Kazeem Famuyide 🍎 (@Kazeem) May 4, 2020
Adidas when they heard Jordan wanted to go with them first over Nike in #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/THwAI5UL5g
— #RingerNBA (@ringernba) May 4, 2020
Adidas executives rewatching themselves screw up the Jordan Brand deal #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/uWzaNwRTzL
— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) May 4, 2020
Adidas’ officials watching the beginning of the #LastDance: pic.twitter.com/8IH80T8dZ7
— Joshua McGehee (@JCMBrave10) May 4, 2020
Adidas execs hearing Michael Jordan wanted to sign with them #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/F7I8ukQUK9
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) May 4, 2020
Yeah, that miss is going to hurt. At least Adidas still has, uh, Derrick Rose and Kanye West.
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