Over the years, there have been many stories circulating about Michael Jordan.
His competitiveness is legendary on and off the court, especially on the golf course. In addition, his passion for winning inspires all.
In fact, in Chicago, Jordan took flight from the free-throw line twice in the 1988 Dunk Contest to beat Dominique Wilkins and repeat as champion, which inspired the Jumpman logo.
Jordan converted from the free-throw line twice, cementing his place in Dunk Contest and NBA history and eventually merchandising history.
Fast-forward to the end of 2019, and the Nike Air Jordan brand was valued at $3 billion. With that kind of revenue power, Jordan takes his brand very seriously, and reportedly he takes it personally when you play with it.
On a recent episode of the “Drink Champs” podcast, Kanye West talked about Kim Kardashian, his prison initiatives, Donald Trump, and other polarizing issues.
However, when the conversation went into the lane of his famous Yeezy brand, West revealed an interesting story about Michael Jordan’s reaction to one of his most famous verses.
On the Kanye West song “Facts,” he says on the chorus, “Yeezy, Yeezy, Yeezy just jumped over the Jumpman.”
“Jordan still won’t meet with me. I’m trying to meet with Michael Jordan. I’m like, ‘Man; it was a song, man,'” laughed West during the episode. “Michael Jordan said this thing it was like, ‘Why are y’all trying to act like Virgil (Abloh) made me hot. These shoes is hot.” Like, this is somebody that met with Michael Jordan that used to work with me.”
Although West admits that the information came second-hand and not directly to him from Jordan, the message was clear, don’t speak on the brand, even in entertainment.
However, the sentiment is on-brand with the famous commentary Michael Jordan said in “The Last Dance” documentary.
“My mentality was to go out and win at any cost,” Jordan said in the docu-series. “If you don’t want to live that regimented mentality, then you don’t need to be alongside of me because I’m going to ridicule you until you get on the same level with me. And if you don’t get on the same level, then it’s going to be hell for you.”
In the documentary, Jordan also came for his former on-court rival, Isaiah Thomas, showing his famously unforgiving side.
“I know it’s all bullsh–,” said Jordan. “Whatever he says now, you know it wasn’t his true actions then. He has time left to think about it, or the reaction from the public has changed his perspective. You can show me anything you want.”
Former teammate Scottie Pippen has been critical of Jordan’s personality in his new book, “Unguarded.” Pippen called Jordan “hypocritical” and “insensitive.”
“Seeing again how poorly Michael treated his teammates, I cringed, as I did back then. Michael and I aren’t close and never have been,” Pippen wrote in the book.
“You want to know what selfish is? Selfish is retiring right before the start of training camp when it is too late for the organization to sign free agents.”
[2/2] Scottie Pippen's take on Michael Jordan 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/JD5ReXV1md
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 18, 2021
Pippen’s thoughts on Jordan validate West’s story. It is easy to see how West’s conjecture about why Jordan won’t meet with him is possibly true.
However, while Air Jordan is still at the top of the sneaker game, Jordan doesn’t have to meet with West anytime soon.
More news from our partners:
‘Make Wise and Smart Investments’: Uncle Luke Shares His Thoughts on Building Generational Wealth
