Michael Jordan said he helped to bring the trend of athletes having their own logos to modern sports.
Speaking on NBA on NBC’s MJ: Insights to Excellence, Jordan explained how his iconic Jumpman logo changed the game.
“Now it’s like, it’s a prerequisite. You know, everybody has to have a logo,” Jordan told Mike Torico.“You know why, right?”
“Well, I’m pretty sure I’m part of the reason why everybody tries to get a logo. That brand is established based on what I did on the basketball court,” Jordan said. “I didn’t put the brand before I put the work, and I put the work first. Then the brand evolved based on the work, right?”
“A lot of times, it’s different,” he continued. “We didn’t see it in every sport, not just basketball, football, and baseball. Everybody’s walking around with a logo on their hat. And I get it, but whatever I did here, it’s never gonna affect what I do on the basketball court. I like to think that most of the time that people will remember Michael Jordan based on what he did on the basketball court. Not always the commercial thing to do.”
Jordan and Nike introduced the legendary Jumpman logo in 1988 and debuted it on the Air Jordan III. Designed by Tinker Hatfield. This dynamic logo replaced the earlier “Wings” logo and immediately resonated with fans. As one of the most recognizable logos of all time, it has served as the logo for the Jordan brand since 1997.
Jordan also discussed his “love of the game” clause in his contract. H;s deal with the Chicago Bulls allowed him to play basketball anywhere outside of the NBA.
“If I was driving with you down the street and I saw a basketball game on the side of the road. And I can go play in that basketball game, and if I get hurt, my contract is still guaranteed,” Jordan said. “I love the game so much that I would never let someone take the opportunity for me to play the game away from me. As opposed to now, where you don’t have it.”