1980
Patrick Ewing met Jordan during Jordan's recruiting visit to the University of North Carolina in fall 1980.
“Ewing met Jordan for the first time that weekend.”
Topic
Michael Jordan
21 facts from 6 episodes, in date order. These are what speakers said on the shows, each linked to the moment it was said. They aren't independently verified.
1981
Michael Jordan arrived at the University of North Carolina in fall 1981 to play for coach Dean Smith.
“Michael Jordan arrived on the North Carolina campus in the fall of 1981”
1984
Nike had a 2.5 million dollar budget for pro basketball shoe endorsements, and Vaccaro advised giving all of it to Michael Jordan.
“Nike executives had 2.5 million dollar budget for pro basketball shoe endorsements and we're thinking about spreading it among many young players.”
1984
Jordan initially preferred Adidas, and Converse was the official NBA shoe at the time, but Adidas turned him down and Nike signed him.
“Jordan thought Vaccaro seemed shady.”
1984
Jordan's mother Delores insisted he fly to Oregon to meet Nike despite his reluctance.
“Delores Jordan insisted that her son be at the airport in the morning.”
1984
Nike's deal with Michael Jordan guaranteed at least $2.5 million over five years, plus a royalty.
“So the deal is a $2.5 million minimum guaranteed payout over five years.”
1985
The NBA fined Michael Jordan 5,000 dollars each time he wore the red and black Air Jordan shoe, and Nike chose to pay the fines.
“The NBA said Jordan would have to pay 5,000 each time he wore the new shoe.”
1986
Michael Jordan scored 63 points in a 1986 playoff game against the Boston Celtics, a single-game record at the time.
“He scores, he winds up scoring sixty three points in a playoff game, which was a single game record at the time.”
1986
After Jordan's 63-point playoff game, Larry Bird said it was God disguised as Michael Jordan.
“That's God disguised as Michael Jordan, Bird said afterward.”
1988
Nike renegotiated Michael Jordan's contract to run seven more years at the same 5% royalty on gross sales, according to the host.
“they extend the deal for seven more years, I believe at the same 5% royalty on gross sales”
1995
Jordan wore number 45 after returning from retirement, and Nick Anderson said number 45 was not number 23 after the steal.
“Anderson said afterward. And so it says it was a profoundly humbling moment for Jordan.”
2010
Michael Jordan bought majority control of the Charlotte Hornets in 2010 for about $175 million and later sold 20% at a valuation of $1.5 billion.
“he bought majority control of the club and I think it went for 175 million and he just sold 20% of it that valued the company at one and a half billion.”
2019
Michael Jordan has earned over $1.5 billion from his Nike deal, and the Jordan Brand generated over $3 billion in revenue in the prior year, according to the host.
“Jordan, as of today has made over $1.5 billion personally from the deal and the Jordan brand within Nike”
Undated
The host says Michael Jordan receives 5 percent of gross sales of the Jordan brand, which he estimated at about 180 million dollars a year based on 3.6 billion in sales.
“He gets 5% of gross sales for the Jordan brand.”
Undated
When Tex Winter said there is no I in team, Jordan replied that there is an I in win.
“Yeah, but there's an I in win.”
Undated
The Jordan Rules defensive scheme helped the Detroit Pistons win two NBA championships.
“That scheme helped Detroit win two NBA championships, but it also helped Chicago in the long run.”
Undated
The host says Jordan had to learn to trust his teammates during the Bulls' transition to the triangle offense.
“Jordan was going to have to learn to trust his teammates.”
Undated
Tim Grover, Jordan's trainer, wrote a book called Relentless about training Jordan and Kobe Bryant.
“Tim Grover. I actually listened to his audiobook. He has an audiobook about what he learned from training Jordan and Kobe and other athletes called Relentless.”
Undated
David Senra says Michael Jordan told Oprah Winfrey in an interview that success is selfish, meaning it takes time away from other people.
“There's a great interview that Michael Jordan did a long time ago with Oprah Winfrey, and he has a line in there where he says success is selfish.”
Undated
Darren Prince says he sold authenticated Michael Jordan memorabilia vouched for by a retired FBI forensic document expert.
“some authenticated Michael Jordan product. And um, this forensic document expert that was retired from the FBI was being praised as the guru of authentication.”
Undated
Jason Bateman says Air tells how and why Nike made its deal with Michael Jordan when Jordan entered the NBA.
“The whole story about how and why Nike got into business with Michael Jordan, when Michael Jordan entered the NBA.”
Episodes