(image via NY Daily News)
Back when the Jordan Brand was just getting started in other sports outside basketball, Derek Jeter was handpicked by Michael Jordan to be the face of the Jumpman on the baseball diamond. The brand's criteria for signing endorsers at the time: Find athletes who could be called, "The Michael Jordan of (insert sport)".
Twelve signature shoes later, the investment for Jordan Brand paid off. Jeter was the first pro player to wear a Jumpman logo in the MLB and the first and only baseball player to get a Jordan Brand signature. Although his signature sneakers may have not been known to fly off shelves as much as other flagship Air Jordans, Jeter left a legacy on the baseball field and his storied career was a milestone for sneakers in the Jordan brand's training category.
Not to mention the fact that Jeter's final run with the New York Yankees has been a major opportunity for Jordan Brand and Nike show off its presence in baseball. Jordan hasn’t been shy about touting the fact that it’s backed Jeter for over the past 10 years (Jeter once had a stint endorsing Fila early in his career). The Jumpman’s #RE2PECT hashtag has been synonymous with the Captain’s final run as a New York Yankee, and the night of Jeter’s memorable last game at Yankee Stadium – Forbes reported that caps branded with the moniker sold out on Nike.com.
