Adidas failed to sign rookie Michael Jordan because he was too short | FOX Sports

 

In 1984, Adidas made a misstep that presaged others. A University of North Carolina basketball star named Michael Jordan wanted a sponsorship deal with Adidas when he went professional, say people familiar with the matter.

 

Adidas distributors wanted to sign Mr. Jordan, says someone who was an Adidas distributor then. But executives in Germany decided shoppers would favor taller players and wanted to sponsor centers, the person says, adding: “We kept saying, ‘no—no one can relate to those guys. Who can associate with a seven-foot-tall guy?’”

 

Adidas signed centers of the era, including Kareem Abdul-Jabbar—it still sells sneakers named for him. Mr. Jordan in 1984 signed with Nike, which built his name into a blockbuster basketball business. Mr. Jordan and Adidas decline to comment.

 

:bag:

Adidas probably signed Sam Bowie though.

Classic case of the "whoopsies"? I think so.

Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muresan shoes are still flying off the shelves.

The adidas Forum was a great basketball shoe. The Final Fours were sweet also.

^ Folks. With that username, I'd listen.