Why Jazz Chisholm Signed a Sneaker Deal with Jordan Brand

Michael Jordan issued a challenge to Jazz Chisholm, which inspired him to sign with Jordan Brand.

The dog days of summer are over, and baseball fans have made it to the final stretch of the MLB regular season. Despite some untimely injuries, Jazz Chisolm Jr. is back on the field, and the Miami Marlins are in the playoff picture.

In addition to being one of the most exciting players in the sport, Chisholm is known for his celebrations, swagger, and sneakers. Earlier this year, Chisholm signed a multi-year footwear and apparel deal with Jordan Brand. However, the origin story of Chisholm's sneaker deal dates back over 15 years.

When speaking with Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Mookie Betts (another Jordan Brand athlete), Chisholm explained how a brief interaction with Michael Jordan inspired him to one day wear the Jumpman logo on the baseball field.

In 1998, Chisholm met Jordan at a celebrity softball game in the Bahamas. The 10-year-old Chisholm asked Jordan for an autograph, to which Jordan replied, "One day, make me want your autograph, kid," before walking away.

That challenge stuck with Chisholm as he told his agent that he always wanted to become one of the select few MLB players to represent Jordan Brand on the field. After signing a two-year sneaker deal with Nike, Chisholm's dream came true when Jordan Brand eventually offered him a contract.

Chisholm told Betts, "Now he has my autograph." Some people shrink from challenges; others rise to the occasion. We know how Chisholm responds in those situations. Follow FanNationKicks.com for all of your daily sneaker news in the sports world.

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