We’ve seen it on The Last Dance and read it in all the biographies – Michael Jordan wanted to be the face of Adidas but Adidas didn’t want him. We know Adidas regretted it enough to overcorrect by signing rookie Kobe Bryant (who would later defect to Nike too). But does Jordan hold a grudge for the rejection? Kind of. Enough to put the guy responsible in an awkward position. That guy was Gary Stokan, now the Peach Bowl’s CEO and previously Jordan’s Adidas draw.

On 11Alive, Stokan recalled how he drafted a three-page marketing plan to convince Adidas to match Nike’s 1984 offer to Jordan. However, the European brand didn’t want to invest over $2 million in the American market and passed on Jordan.

His connection with Stokan remained though. The former Adidas employee recalled that Jordan ‘betrayed’ him as a joke during a chance encounter in the Bahamas. MJ was the Nike superstar then who hosted his annual golf charity tournament in the Bahamas where Stokan was vacationing with his family. His daughters recognized MJ at the Atlantis Paradise Island and in typical dad flex style, Stokan casually introduced his family to his old friend.

Jordan was with Ahmad Rashad, Charles Barkley, and Charles Oakley. He not only recognized Stokan, Jordan, “put his arm around me, put me in a headlock and he looked at my daughter, both daughters and he pointed to her and he said, your, your dad is the hardest working man in sports.” Stokan said his daughters have never forgotten that.

But the ribbing came after that. Jordan was apparently telling the two Charles about his brush with Adidas because he referred to Stokan and said, “I want to sign with Adidas, but Gary didn’t think I could play. And that’s why Adidas didn’t sign me.”

Now that’s bending the truth. Because of that joke, Stokan felt, “He stuck a dagger right in my heart like Michael loves to do.” Jordan sure does have that kind of humor. But he was ready to be loyal to Gary Stokan.

Gary Stokan didn’t betray Michael Jordan

While Stokan was still at Adidas, he had formed a friendship with the UNC athlete, Michael Jordan. MJ loved the Adidas kicks he gave him for the Olympic tryouts, and wanted to work with the sneaks marketing wiz. Nike was the first to make him an offer of $2.5 million despite its dire straits.

When his parents and agent were urging Jordan to take the offer, the future NBA superstar went to Stokan first. He told him that if he just matched Nike, “I’ll sign with you.” Stokan did try and appeal to the HQ in Germany. He’s a former basketball athlete and coach and saw immense potential in Jordan. As a marketing genius, he also saw a relatable aspect in the 6’6″ guard.

However, Adidas refused. He was not the one who ‘stabbed Jordan in the back.’ Adidas just didn’t see Stokan’s vision.

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In the end, the Air Jordan revived Nike out of bankruptcy and made it the most dominant footwear brand in the world today. The brand just reported $7 billion revenue in its fourth-quarter earnings. In a way, Stokan deserves credit for that.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.