You can’t have an adequate conversation about sneaker culture without talking about the global impact of Michael Jordan and his line of signature shoes, as evidenced by the film “Air,” chronicling the inception of the Jordan sneaker era.

With so much popularity around Nike and their relationship with Jordan, would you believe there was a time during the Jordan era when he didn’t have the biggest contract and most popular shoe among athletes?

Welcome NBA legend Larry Johnson to the chat. According to a LinkedIn post, Johnson stated that he was offered a $1 million shoe deal with Converse in 1991.

Johnson entered the league in 1991 as the No. 1 draft pick by the Charlotte Hornets. He had a stand-out rookie season, earning him the 1992 Rookie of the Year award, and in 1993, he signed what was then considered the largest contract in NBA history worth $87 million over seven years.

However, after that historic deal, Johnson suffered a sprained back that would impact the longevity of his career. According to Complex, he was traded to the New York Knicks in 1996, leading the team to the NBA finals during his tenure.

Although his game was altered due to his energy level, Larry Johnson was an active NBA player until 2001. He would average 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists throughout his career.

While his glory days on the court are behind him, the NBA legend has maintained an estimated net worth of $10 million from his on-court earning and off-court deals, Celebrity Net Worth reports.

And despite some of the challenges Johnson faced as a player, his Converse deal is still regarded as one of the most iconic in sports history.

Let’s look at the facts around Larry Johnson’s shoe endorsement that still has people talking.

Larry Johnson

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