The basketball world has been rocked by the shocking announcement of the legendary Michael Jordan: he has officially signed a $50 million sponsorship deal with WNBA star Angel Reese, making her the new face of the global Air Jordan campaign.
Jordan, who is famous for his quiet style and careful selection of commercial contracts, has broken all the usual rules this time. At a mysterious press conference held in Chicago, he only said one sentence that left the entire sports world speechless:
“Great recognizes great. This is not just a deal, it’s a statement.”
(Good recognizes good. This is not just a contract – this is a manifesto.)

The “$50 million and a message” handshake
According to “inside” sources, Jordan Brand has been quietly negotiating with Angel Reese for nearly eight months, with the goal of not only promoting new products but also “redefining the legacy of greatness in women’s sports”.
An unnamed senior executive at Nike revealed:
“Jordan didn’t just see the commercial potential in Angel. He saw himself 30 years ago – a star who was doubted, criticized, but never bowed.”
But what really surprised everyone was the secret behind this deal.
Leaked Secret: “The Legacy Project”
According to Sports Whisperer, the $50 million deal is not simply a sponsorship deal, but the start of a secret project called “The Legacy Project” – an initiative that Jordan is building to hand over the leadership of the brand to a new generation.
Sources said that Jordan has chosen Angel Reese as “the successor to the iconic Air Jordan for the era of sports feminism”, with the goal of expanding the brand into the WNBA, streetwear and pop culture products.
A leaked internal letter even stated:
“She represents not only the strength, but also the rebellious spirit that made Jordan.”
Social media exploded – LeBron, Curry, and even Beyoncé all spoke out
As soon as the news spread, stars from the NBA to Hollywood all paid attention.
LeBron James posted on X (Twitter):
“Respect. MJ always moves with purpose.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Curry commented sarcastically:
“So this is what happens when legends get bored?”
And Beyoncé, unexpectedly shared a picture of Angel Reese with a short caption:
“She’s the moment.”
The online community is fiercely divided: one side believes this is a historic step to help women’s sports “escape the shadow of the NBA”, while the other side believes Jordan is just “creating a media effect to revive the brand”.
Jordan is silent – but actions speak for themselves
When asked about the rumors surrounding “The Legacy Project”, Michael Jordan just smiled, neither denying nor confirming.
However, a giant poster has just been erected in downtown Chicago, with the image of Angel Reese in a pair of Air Jordan 38 shoes – special edition women, with the slogan:
“Don’t just play the game. Change it.”
No one knows exactly what Jordan was planning, but one thing is certain:
After this deal, Angel Reese was no longer an athlete – she was an icon.
And Michael Jordan, once again, proved that he not only led on the court, but also knew how to rewrite the rules of the game off it.