In 1979, NBA legend Magic Johnson turned down a sneaker deal from Nike that would have been worth $5.2 billion today. The exact number of stock options offered to him remains undisclosed, but the HBO series Winning Time depicts that he declined a shoe deal with Nike that would have been worth $5.2 billion today. It is highly unlikely that Nike would have offered Magic 100,000 shares of the firm’s pre-IPO stock in 1979, as that would have constituted a significant amount of the company’s total equity. Forbes magazine has declared basketball star Magic Johnson a billionaire, decades after he lost out on a Nike deal that could have netted him $5 billion.
In 1980, an upstart company named Nike tried to sign the newest NBA superstar, Magic Johnson, but they didn’t have much money so offered a stock deal. Johnson ended up with a $100,000 deal, which Nike made up as offering him the same in stock as Converse offered him ($100,000) at a strike price of 18 cents plus $1 on every shoe shipped. The 18-cent stock price doesn’t make sense. The year that Johnson turned down the opportunity to sign with Nike was 1979. Today, besides being one of the leading athletic companies across the globe, the business magazine estimated Johnson’s wealth to be $1.2 billion, most of which is from his investments in sports franchises and other companies.
Nike was willing to pay him $1 for every pair of shoes sold and 100,000 shares of the company’s stock, according to CassiusLife. At the time, Nike offered Magic Johnson a $5 billion windfall, but he passed and took the sure thing. According to CassiusLife, Johnson was offered $1 for every pair of Nike shoes sold, and 100,000 shares of Nike stock. It is safe to say that the decision in 1979 cost him a few billion dollars.
📹 Magic Johnson told a story about passing on the Nike stock and taking the cash with Converse
What is Magic Johnson’s net worth today?
Magic Johnson, a former NBA player, has become a billionaire, worth $1. 2 billion. The NBA Hall of Famer, who earned around $40 million as a Los Angeles Lakers player, built his wealth through joint venture partnerships in various industries, including movie theaters, Starbucks franchises, real estate, and healthcare. His majority of his fortune comes from a 60-percent stake in Equitrust, a life insurance company that has grown from $16 billion in assets under management to $26 billion since 2015.
Johnson also owns small stakes in various professional sports teams, including the NFL’s Washington Commanders, MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers, WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, and MLS’ LAFC. He is the fourth athlete billionaire Forbes has ever identified, following Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, and LeBron James. Before the 1979 NBA Draft, Nike offered Johnson stock in the company and royalties on shoe sales, but he declined in favor of $100, 000 per year cash from Converse.
Who is Nike’s biggest sponsor?
In 2024, Michael Jordan is the highest-paid Nike spokesperson, earning $60 million annually. Rory McIlroy earns $25 million annually from Nike, while Maria Sharapova is the highest-paid female athlete, earning $8. 75 million annually. Kobe Bryant has been with Nike for 12 years, starting his career with Adidas. Kevin Durant’s contract with Nike is valued at $8. 5 million per year for seven years. Michael Jordan still earns $60 million annually from Nike endorsements despite retiring in 2003.
Derek Jeter has endorsements with various brands, including Gatorade, Gillette, Ford, Fleet Bank, Avon, Delta, XM, Visa, and Skippy. Tiger Woods earns $20 million from Nike, while Rory McIlroy earns $25 million annually. LeBron James earns $15 million annually from Nike, while Roger Federer endorses brands like Rolex, Credit Suisse, Wilson, and Mercedes-Benz. Jenny Chang, a senior writer specializing in SaaS and B2B software solutions, has covered major developments in these industries, including the introduction of massive ERPs and small business platforms to help startups succeed.
Who owns 5% of Nike?
Nike, the world’s largest sportswear company, is primarily owned by the Knight family, who own 22 shares through various entities. Other large shareholders include Vanguard and BlackRock. The largest part of the Knight family stake is owned by the Travis A. Knight 2009 Irrevocable Trust II (Trust), which holds 17. 8 of Nike’s shares. Swoosh LLC, a subsidiary of the Trust, holds the majority of the family stake in Nike, with Travis Knight controlling 2 out of 5 board seats.
The rest of the Swoosh seats are controlled by the Trust. In 2016, Nike’s founder Phil Knight transferred voting interest in Swoosh to the Trust, named after his son Travis. The Trust holds a smaller part of Nike’s stake directly, but Travis Knight disclaims beneficial ownership. Despite this change, he and his immediate family remain beneficiaries of the Trust.
How much did Magic lose with Nike?
Despite the potential for a $5 billion Nike deal to have been lost, Forbes magazine has declared basketball star Magic Johnson a billionaire. Johnson’s estimated net worth is $1. 2 billion, primarily derived from investments in sports franchises and other corporate entities. During his tenure as a professional basketball player, he amassed an estimated net worth of approximately $40 million, primarily through his tenure with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980s.
How much did Nike pay Ronaldo?
Nike’s $1 billion lifetime contract with soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo is a prime example of shifting marketing strategies, offering firms greater reach at a lower cost. Influencer marketing is gaining popularity as it helps companies reach Millennials, produces authentic storytelling, better connects with consumers, and offers a higher return on investment (ROI) than other channels. As traditional advertising is on the downswing, large corporations are increasingly seeking alternative channels to get their message out.
Celebrity endorsers, such as Michael Phelps and Mike Tyson, are increasingly sought after by major consumer products companies, as they offer greater reach at a lower cost. This shift in marketing strategies is a result of the growing trend towards social media marketing across industries.
Did Nike pay Jordan fines?
Michael Jordan confirmed that Nike paid off his fines in a 2014 interview with ESPN. He claimed that Nike provided him with a chance to do something special, but some argue that there are no records of Nike actually paying the fine, and that Jordan was given a lump sum as part of his overall shoe deal. Others believe the fine was more symbolic than actual, with the NBA aiming to create drama around the situation.
Regardless, the Air Jordan 1 was a game-changer for Nike and Jordan, sparked a global sneaker craze that continues today. Jordan, a successful athlete with a net worth estimated at over $1 billion, remains one of the most successful athletes in history.
How much did Nike offer Jordan?
Michael Jordan’s agent coined the term “Air Jordan” in 1984, referencing his skilled jumps. Jordan signed a five-year deal with Nike for $12. 5 million, three times more than any other NBA deal. The Air Jordans, released in 1985, made over $100 million in sales within the first 12 months. The NBA fined Jordan for not meeting color standards, which Nike capitalized on by paying the fines and incorporating the publicity into a marketing campaign.
Does Magic regret not signing with Nike?
Magic Johnson, a former NBA player, has admitted to not signing with Nike in 1979 due to the company’s offer of stock options. Johnson, who was unaware of stocks at the time, chose a cash deal with Converse instead. He believes that he would have been a trillionaire by now if he had been offered the stock options. The story of Johnson turning down an offer from Nike co-founder Phil Knight was depicted in the HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”, where Knight offered him $100, 000 in Nike stock options plus $1 for every shoe shipped, which the show estimated would be worth $5. 2 billion today.
Who was offered 10% of Nike?
Basketball legend Spencer Haywood was presented with the opportunity to receive a 10% equity stake in Nike in exchange for promoting the company’s products. However, he ultimately opted for a $100, 000 cash guarantee, a decision influenced by his agent. The agent advised Haywood to accept the cash option in order to receive his commission. Had Haywood retained his percentage, it would be valued at approximately $8. 62 billion in the present day.
Does Nike still own Jordan?
Air Jordan is a basketball shoe line by Nike, Inc., featuring apparel and accessories under the Jordan Brand. The first Air Jordan shoe was produced for Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls in 1984 and released to the public in 1985. The Jordan Logo, known as the “Jumpman”, was inspired by a photograph taken by Jacobus Rentmeester before Jordan’s 1984 Summer Olympics performance.
How much did Nike give LeBron James?
LeBron James earns over $30 million a year from Nike, a company he has been with since 2003. Other brands he sponsors include AT&T, Beats, Crypto. com, GMC, Pepsi and Co, Intel, and Kia. James has also become a prominent investor in Spring Hill, a $300 million marketing agency, and has the platform ‘Uninterrupted’, which allowed him to become an executive producer. Other brands he has partnered with include AT&T, Beats, Crypto. com, GMC, Pepsi and Co, Intel, and Kia.
📹 “Magic’s Sneaker Deal” HBO’s “Winning Time” S1E6 Magic Johnson Nike Converse Adidas Lakers
LIKE. COMMENT. SUBSCRIBE. From S1.E6 of HBO’s “Winning Time” the depiction of Magic Johnson’s sneaker deal along with …
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