Marcus Thompson had always dreamed of playing basketball, but dreams come with obstacles, and for 14-year-old Marcus, that obstacle was his basketball shoes. They were barely holding together, their soles peeling off from countless games on cracked courts and unforgiving streets. Despite the desperate condition of his shoes, Marcus had made the city Championship team tryouts, and he had three weeks to get himself prepared. But with only $23.42 saved up from teaching younger kids at the community center, he knew there was no way he could afford the $80 needed for new regulation shoes.
The day of the Community Center game was supposed to be his moment to shine, but as fate would have it, his shoes had other plans. With his team trailing by one point and the clock ticking down, Marcus found himself desperately trying to hold on to the ball as his shoes gave up on him. The left shoe’s sole split completely, causing him to slip and fall to the floor, the ball flying from his hands, and the opposing team scoring an easy basket. The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game, and the defeat stung not just because of the loss but because of what his shoes symbolized—a reminder that his dreams might be too big for his reality.
As Marcus walked home, the quiet sorrow of his ruined shoes was only compounded by the realization that he wouldn’t make the championship tryouts if he couldn’t get new shoes. His mother was working two jobs, and his father had passed away when he was just seven. He never wanted to ask her for help, knowing how hard she worked to keep the family afloat. So, he quietly accepted his fate, even though the dream of playing in the city Championship felt like it was slipping out of his grasp.
When he got home, he sat down with the old, worn-out shoes, carefully setting them aside next to the box his first pair of basketball shoes had come in. Those shoes had been a gift from his father, and even though they were long gone, the memories of that day—his dad’s smile as Marcus strutted around the store in his new shoes—stayed with him. That memory was a reminder of what he was fighting for: a chance to honor his dad’s memory, to honor the game they both loved, and to make something of himself.
The next morning, Marcus decided he wouldn’t give up. He woke up before his alarm, determined to make the most of the time before his shift at the community center. His broken shoes still sat in the corner of his room, but he laced up his old running shoes and set out. He spent the morning practicing shots, doing dribbling drills, and helping DeAndre, a younger kid from the neighborhood, with a crossover move. It was just another day of practicing, but this time, it was different. This time, he had something to prove—not just to the world but to himself.
Later that day, as he taught a group of elementary kids at the community center, Marcus couldn’t help but think about the tryouts. Coach Wilson had given him the form, and the rules were clear: players needed regulation shoes to participate. But Marcus knew that no matter how hard he worked, he couldn’t afford the shoes in time.
After class, Coach Wilson pulled him aside. “Talk to me, Marcus. What’s going on?”
Marcus hesitated, then explained about his shoes. “I just need a little more time to save up. I’m working on it.”
Coach Wilson rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Tell you what. The center sometimes gets equipment donations. I’ll make some calls. Maybe we can get you some help.”
Marcus appreciated the offer but shook his head. “I’ll handle it myself, Coach. I don’t want to ask for charity.”
Coach Wilson studied him for a long moment before nodding. “I respect that, but remember, Marcus, sometimes accepting help is the strongest thing you can do.”
That night, Marcus couldn’t sleep. He thought about Sophie, one of his students, who had finally made a basket after struggling for weeks. He thought about how basketball had given him a purpose, a way to prove that despite the odds, he could succeed. But it wasn’t about the shoes, he knew that now. It was about the heart.
The next day, after his shift at the community center, Marcus went to the mall. It wasn’t much—just a sale that Coach Wilson had told him about. He had $28.42 to spend, but he wasn’t sure it would be enough. When he arrived at the store, he headed straight for the clearance section, avoiding the kids from his school who always got new shoes every season. As he scanned the tags, his hopes dwindled. Even with the sale, the cheapest pair was still more than he could afford.
But then, something changed. A store employee named Sarah noticed Marcus’s situation and approached him. She listened carefully as he explained his need for shoes for the championship tryouts. Without hesitation, she disappeared into the back of the store and returned with a pair of shoes—perfect for his size, with great support and cushioning. They were last season’s model, but they’d only been worn once. The price tag said $95, but Sarah explained that they were marked down due to the return. The final price was still over $50, too much for Marcus.
“Try them on,” Sarah insisted. “Let’s see if they fit.”
When Marcus put on the shoes, it felt like magic. They were perfect—better than anything he could have hoped for. But as he reached to take them off and return to his old shoes, he was stopped by Sarah.
“You know, I think you should turn around,” Sarah said softly.
Marcus looked up, confused. Before he could respond, he heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching. The store had gone quiet, and a shadow loomed over him. When he turned around, he couldn’t believe his eyes. Standing in front of him was none other than Michael Jordan.
“Those shoes look good on you, young man,” Jordan said with a warm smile.
Marcus’s mind went blank. His heart raced, and all he could do was stare at the man who had been his hero for as long as he could remember. Phones were raised all around the store, capturing the moment, but Marcus couldn’t focus on anything except the man in front of him.
Jordan asked, “You trying out for the city Championship?”
Marcus nodded, barely able to speak. “Yes, sir.”
“Well,” Jordan said, “Let’s see if you can move in them.” He gestured toward the store’s test court.
With shaking hands, Marcus dribbled the ball and began his routine. The new shoes gripped the floor perfectly, and he felt more confident than he had in weeks. He made his jump shot, the ball swishing through the net, and Jordan nodded approvingly.
“You’ve got good form,” Jordan said. “Your dad taught you well.”
Marcus’s heart swelled with pride as Jordan shared a story of his own struggles with shoes when he was younger. But Jordan’s words hit hardest when he said, “It’s not about the shoes. It’s about the heart.”
Then Jordan surprised Marcus even more. “The shoes you’re wearing—they’re a gift. From one player to another. You’ve got something special, Marcus.”
And just like that, Marcus’s dreams were no longer just dreams. With Jordan’s encouragement and a scholarship to the Michael Jordan Flight School in hand, Marcus knew that nothing—least of all his shoes—could stop him from achieving greatness.
Here’s How Much Michael Jordan Made From His 5% Nike Royalty In 2023
Michael Jordan last played in the NBA in 2003, yet his name has remained synonymous with the sport. He owned the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets for a stint before selling the team last year, and media features like The Last Dance and Air have introduced him to the younger generation. Air highlighted perhaps the most important relationship in Jordan’s life: his partnership with Nike. He rejected offers from more established companies like Converse and Adidas to sign with the upstart shoe company, and the move has worked out incredibly well for both sides. As Jordan’s career progressed, his Jordan Brand line became more popular, with fans around the world wanting to be like Mike.
Shortly after The Last Dance aired in 2020, Jordan Brand had about $3.6 billion in sales over the previous 12 months. In 2023 — a full two decades after Jordan’s final NBA game — Jordan Brand shoes hit $6.6 billion in sales. And because Jordan knows the power of a good brand, he set up a fantastic deal with Nike. He receives a 5% royalty on all Jordan Brand revenue.
Five percent of $6.6 billion is $330 million. That’s how much Michael Jordan made from Nike in 2023.
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Jordan earned more in 2023 than the largest contract in NBA history — and that contract is a five-year deal. The Nike royalties are especially staggering when you consider Jordan’s career on-court earnings.
In 15 NBA seasons, Jordan made $94,022,050, with about two-thirds of that coming in his final two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. He earned about 3.5 times his entire NBA career salary in 2023 alone.
The Nike deal is a significant factor in Jordan becoming a billionaire, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon. At his current pace, Jordan could hit $500 million in annual royalties in the next decade, which would double his net worth to $5.2 billion.
Jordan’s deal with Nike is very likely the best business decision an athlete has ever made. It’s still paying dividends decades after his retirement — and will continue to do so as long as people are playing basketball.
