It was extremely fitting to see one of their stars wear Jordan Brand at the United Center with the Chicago Bulls. Currently, Jimmy Butler is a free agent who will probably get the max offer contract either with the Bulls or a team willing to pay the star.
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Butler did something most players won’t, leave money on the table for a personal preference. Popular men’s magazine GQ was able to sit down with Butler and ask about his past, present, and future. Butler was asked if he truly took less money to be with Jordan Brand and he confirmed. From GQ’s interview with the NBA star:
Is it true that you took significantly less money to be on Team Jordan? What led to that decision?
I’ve always been a fan of Mike and his game. What he did for the game of basketball as a whole, and what he did off the court for it too, whether it was with Hanes or his shoe brand. But I’ve always been a fan of the tennis shoe. So when I got an opportunity to switch from Adidas to Jordan, I just thought it was the right choice, because I’ve never had problems with my feet. I’m not bashing Adidas at all, but I got turf toe one year and rolled my ankles a few times. That’s never happened, whenever I was at Marquette with Jordan or before that, with Nike. So I thought maybe I should go back to that shoe. And then Jordan picked me up.
It’s not about the money. I do it because I love the game, for one. I think Mike takes care of his players. He’s always saying how this is a Jordan family. Everybody’s so cool to hang around, and you get a lot of respect, within that Jordan brand, to each and every individual, because you’re significantly really good at your particular sport. So, I think it was an easy choice, moving on to Jordan.
Very few players are marketable like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Michael Jordan to the point where they make a ton in endorsements. Making the switch for Butler seemed natural and chose to be happy over a few million dollars. He also speaks about his injury free days playing for Marquette in the Jumpman.
A variety of questions were asked to Butler. As any sneaker head would agree, getting packages from Jordan is a huge incentive. Often times, Jordan Brand athletes of every sport will show off their haul. Jordan Brand truly takes care of their athletes and the players love it.
Now that you’re at Jordan, what’s it like to have every kid’s dream come true of access to all the Jordans, all the time? What’s that like, to have just any Jordan you want?
Oh my gosh, it’s crazy! Like, you’ll just get packages in the mail with just hella shoes, hella gear. You’re just like, man! You open it, you just see the Jumpman logo, you’re like, “I’m really part of Team Jordan right now!”
Butler’s characteristics show a young man trying to be the best he can be. For the full interview with GQ, Butler addresses a ton of other shoe related questions.