LeBron James Pat McAfee Show Nike deal
LeBron James appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he clarified a common misconception about his Nike deal. He explained that he signed with Nike not because of Michael Jordan, but because they offered him a substantial $90 million, seven-year contract. When asked about wearing number 23 in honor of Jordan, LeBron pushed back, saying, "I signed with them cause they gave one of a hell bonus a 7." He made it clear that his decision was financial, not sentimental.
Transcript (en)
Because of Michael Jordan? Okay, that's a fact. He signed with Nike because of Michael Jordan. It's like, no the fuck I didn't. I signed with Nike because I got a hell of a signing bonus and they gave me a seven-year, $90 million contract. And I moved my mom out of the hood the next day I signed that contract. And ultimately, my whole thing is like, what do I want to wear off the court? It's like, I want to wear fucking Nikes. I want to wear Jordans. I want to wear pennies. I want to wear Bo Jackson's. I want to wear Air Max's. I want to wear, like, you know, so. Primes. Like, you know, like, what are we talking about? So, like, I knew there was a responsibility. Listen, man, during the ball drop, you know, during the lottery drop, Cleveland got the number one pick. I just don't think that was. Whoa, what are you saying? Don't you see this? Wemby with the Spurs. Oh, my God. Chicago. Let's keep LeBron home. You know what, Patrick Ewing to the Knicks, you know, Derrick Rose to the Bulls. But I understand the assignment, guys. I'm, you know, so, you know, I had to make sure that, you know, I had to do my part. I didn't want to be a fuck up. I just didn't want to be a fuck up, man. Like I said earlier in the show, like no one gets this opportunity, man. It's zero to none and I couldn't be a fuck up. So that's what came with it. You've done a great job representing it all. Do you feel like we are at a phase though,
