Mookie Betts’ Jordan Brand Deal Origin: Explained

The start of the new MLB season is drawing near. Players have started reporting to their teams’ spring training facilities during the past week. Mookie Betts is one of the players that seems most enthusiastic about the next year.

The right fielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers arrived early to begin preparations for yet another long season. Yesterday, Betts arrived at the Dodgers facility in Arizona in grey sweats with icy-white Air Jordan sneakers.

Mookie Betts’ Jordan Brand Deal Origin: Explained

Mookie Betts is hooked to competition, like most greats. That is a characteristic he inherited from his parents. Every night on the baseball field, Betts’ enthusiasm is on full display, but it also shows up in his love of basketball, bowling, golf, and pretty much everything else.

Betts is always seeking inspiration. When he can find causes to stoke his competitive fire, he flourishes. His long-term objective is induction into the Hall of Fame. Yet, Betts relies on short-term objectives to keep him totally focused while travelling there. Betts discovered that inspiration in 2016 from an uncommon source.

The left-hander David Price arrived in his new clubhouse wearing Jordan Brand attire after signing with the Red Sox. Price was one of the few baseball players represented by the brand of the basketball legend at the time. Betts was still working for Under Armour, but he noticed Price wearing Jordan right away.

“Damn, I wanna get with Jordan Brand,” Betts told Price. “How do I do that?”

Before to the 2016 season, the outfielder was a rising star, and Price promised Betts he would speak with Jordan officials on the outfielder’s behalf. But the left-hander warned Betts that he had to perform at a high level on the field for that to happen.

He came to work every day prepared to work, and during Grapefruit League play he hit four home runs, which is the most ever in a spring. In the outfield, he was also flashing the leather at a Gold Glove calibre. With Price’s assistance, Betts made the transition from Under Armour to Jordan Brand a month into Spring Training.

“It’s crazy, man, because when I see something that I want, it becomes a motivation, you know?” said Betts, who grew up playing basketball and is the owner of an AAU team in Tennessee. “When DP told me you have to earn it, as weird as it sounds, that became a motivation for me, even though it was just to be able to go to Jordan Brand.”

Betts wanted to show his appreciation to the company for sticking by him after switching over in the spring. He made a name for himself at the bat and rose to the top of the sport. With a then-career high of 31 home runs and 113 RBIs, Betts ended the season. He received his first Gold Glove Award of his career and placed second in the AL MVP vote.

For the past seven years, Betts has played a crucial role in Jordan Brand. He was the sole baseball player featured in the stirring advertisement for the company last year.

“Somehow, someway,” Betts smiled. “I got it.”

 

FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE- 

NBA   

 NFL  

MLB