Allen Iverson grew up loving Jordan shoes, and he almost could have signed with the brand.
During an interview with Complex, the basketball legend expresses feeling enamored with Michael Jordan and always desiring to sport his shoes. Little did the Hampton, VA, native realize, he would not only grow up to land his own shoe deal before his rookie season in the NBA but he would be in talks for a signature sneaker with the Jordan Brand.
Sports Illustrated mentions that when Iverson was drafted to the NBA in 1996, he caught the attention of every major sneaker company. The Jordan Brand even created a prototype named after Iverson’s nickname “Bubba Chuck” to entice him. Had he signed to the Jordan Brand, he would have became its first signature athlete, Sports Illustrated reports.
However, Iverson found Reebok to be the most convincing in its pitch.
“Remember that like it was yesterday because that was a big decision for me,” Iverson told Complex. “Just looking back on it, I feel good about the decision I made for the loyalty from Reebok and our relationship.”
He continued, “They [Nike] had a shoe, but I was convinced when I went in the meeting with Reebok that that’s what I wanted to do. They were great salespeople, and they made me comfortable about getting to where I’m at right now with the company.”
Iverson’s decision to sign with Reebok has continued to pay off in tenfolds. He signed a 10-year $50 million contract with Reebok when he was drafted to the Sixers as a first draft pick, per the Inquirer. In 2001, when Iverson and the team made their way to the NBA Finals and he stamped the MVP title, he secured a lifetime deal with the shoe company. Under the deal, Iverson would receive $800,000 yearly as well as a $32 million trust fund that he will have access to in 2030, as AFROTECH previously told you.
What’s more, he most recently rose in the ranks of Reebok once again, moving into the role of vice president of basketball, joining Shaquille O’Neil, who is president of Reebok’s basketball division.
