Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Magic Johnson Admits He’s Still Kicking Himself After Rejecting Nike Deal: “I Would Have Been A Trillionaire By Now. Man, Michael Jordan Would Have Been Making Me So Much Money.”
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Magic Johnson Admits He’s Still Kicking Himself After Rejecting Nike Deal: “I Would Have Been A Trillionaire By Now. Man, Michael Jordan Would Have Been Making Me So Much Money.”

Magic Johnson Admits He’s Still Kicking Himself After Rejecting Nike Deal: “I Would Have Been A Trillionaire By Now. Man, Michael Jordan Would Have Been Making Me So Much Money.”

Divij Kulkarni
Apr 12, 2022
2 Min Read
Share

Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan were the biggest superstars the NBA had seen before the turn of the millennium and their legacy off the court has also been intertwined with one another thanks to one infamous decision from Magic. Before Michael Jordan essentially became the face of Nike and started his brand within the company, Magic was the one Nike co-founder Phil Knight pursued. 

While talking about the new HBO show Winning Time, about the Lakers dynasty that Magic was one of the central figures of, Johnson spoke about his decision to choose Converse over Nike as a rookie in 1979. Knight famously offered Johnson stocks instead of cash, which made the star choose Converse, but that stock would have been worth $5.2 billion today, making it quite the regret for Magic. 

Magic Johnson telling us about passing on the Nike stock and taking the cash with Converse. #WinningTimeHBO #WinningTime pic.twitter.com/40EBT0rE9J

— B E A N Z The Games Whisperer (@BeanzGotGamez2) April 11, 2022

“Now, I’ve never heard of stock at 19-years-old. I had to take the money; I had to take the cash. Man, I would have been a trillionaire by now. If you think of getting that stock in 1979 and what it’s worth today? Yikes. It kills me every single time I think about that. Man, Michael Jordan would have been making me so much money.”

Michael Jordan’s signing with Nike was a large part of what helped the company explode after the deal, the company reportedly sold $126 million worth of shoes in 1984. If Magic had shares within the company, he would also have been able to profit vastly from the situation. 

Of course, there is an alternate universe where Magic Johnson did sign with Nike and his popularity made him the main client at the company, and Michael Jordan struck out on his own and signed with someone else. There’s no way to tell how things would have played out if different decisions were made, but thinking about the behemoth that Nike has become today, it’s easy to see why Johnson seriously regrets his decision in 1979. Worked out real nice for MJ, though. 

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Michael Jordan
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByDivij Kulkarni
Follow:
Divij Kulkarni is an NBA columnist for Fadeaway World. He has covered the NBA and the English Premier League, with 4 years of experience in creating sports content. Finding exciting and intriguing content about all things NBA is both his job and his passion. Divij loves the Dallas Mavericks and can be regularly observed getting emotional during games. Outside of basketball, he enjoys reading fantasy and sci-fi novels, consuming copious amounts of movies and TV, and spending time with his dog, Olivia. Expertise: NBA, Historical Sports ResearchFavorite Team: Dallas MavericksFeatured On HoopsHype, Sports Illustrated, Secret Base, MSNPrevious Work: Tribuna
Previous Article Klay Thompson Has An Impressive List Of Girlfriends: “They Are All Beautiful And Sexy”
Next Article The Los Angeles Lakers’ Current Players’ Status For The 2022-23 NBA Season: LeBron James, Anthony Davis And Russell Westbrook Will Earn $129.5 Million Combined
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Brooklyn, New York, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) high fives head coach JJ Redick during the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Provides Update On Luka Doncic After He Gets Ruled Out For Lakers’ First 2 Preseason Games

October 3, 2025
Devin Booker
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Reveals He Has “Unfinished Business” With Phoenix Suns

October 3, 2025
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics News & Analysis

New Return Date For Jayson Tatum Could Put Celtics Back In Championship Picture

October 3, 2025
Warriors star Jimmy Butler
Golden State Warriors News & Analysis

Stephen Curry Says Jimmy Butler Gives Warriors “Legitimate Shot” At 2026 Title

October 3, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?