Michael Jordan’s Nike Loyalty Kept Him Off The 1992 All Star T-Shirt

Ever wonder why Michael Jordan didn’t appear on the official 1992 NBA All-Star t-shirt?

For fans puzzled how Jordan, fresh off his first NBA title win and entering his peak powers, could be left off of marquee merchandise, the answer is simple and supposedly legal.

Rights.

Or so Jordan claimed.

According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, Jordan disputed his inclusion on the tee because he said that Nike owned exclusive rights to his image. Maybe he was just demonstrating some Nike loyalty but the NBA, looking to capitalize on the Bulls star’s skyrocketing global popularity, wasn’t sympatico.

As Rovell reports, the NBA decided to put an end to self-omission, changing league policy to ensure that its proprietary product – star talent – could no longer loophole its way out of promotional matters.

The incident didn’t stop Jordan from keeping his image and name from scores of other items throughout the 1990s and beyond. Or from suing a defunct grocery store chain to the tune of $8.9 million.

Official 1992 NBA All-Star shirt didn't have MJ, who said his rights were owned by Nike. League soon changed policy. pic.twitter.com/xKKLBhwklP

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 4, 2016