A shoe deal is a dream for many athletes. In the current era, the intensity, and the range of shoe deals have increased. It is not just the top five or top ten players signing big sneaker deals. Even emerging players who come off the bench are signing them, Austin Reaves being a prime example. In many instances, a player signs with one brand, but as they progress upwards, a shoe brand like Jordan can nab their representation. 

In one such instance, a terrific NBA player saw such a change as he walked into the heralded halls of Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan and his shoe game are still A-1

Nike remains the number-one shoe company in the world. It has a market cap of $151.22 billion. Jordan brand has been an integral part of its success and contributes billions to the endeavor. The journey started when MJ signed a historical deal with them in 1984. In 1997, Nike officially launched Jordan as one of its subsidiaries.

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After Nike, Adidas is perhaps the second-largest shoe brand. Its market cap of $34.17 billion is nowhere near Nike, but it remains one of the top two players. Still, switching from Adidas to Nike is an upgrade.

Brandon Ingram has engaged in such an upgrade recently. At the beginning of his career, he signed with the German brand Adidas, a partnership that ended in 2021. He donned Adidas Zone Boost Sneakers until two years ago, but then he started to rock Nike Kyrie 7.

Now, he has decided to join the Jordan brand, a part of Nike.

As a part of the deal, the 25-year-old Swingman is going to wear Air Jordan 38. He becomes the second Jordan-contracted athlete after his teammate and athletic phenom Zion Williamson. Williamson has a Jordan signature shoe named Jordan Zion 2. Apart from Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, and Luka Doncic, he is the only among the current active players to have a signature show.

While a signature shoe remains way removed, Ingram joins 17 other NBA players as someone who has a Jordan contract.

Which athletes have signed with Jordan?

While the brand remains selective in terms of launching signature shoes, it has contracted players who have been among all levels. The list has an amazing scorer like Bradley Beal while also having Kemba Walker, who has struggled for stability in the past few seasons. Sophomore Paolo Banchero is also a part of the list and overall, this list doesn’t necessarily include players who have been All-Stars or are one of the top players in a roster.

At any rate, will Ingram move so far ahead of the current list that he gets a signature shoe, like his teammate? Do share in the comments below.

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