Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ newly minted captain, is all set to join an elite list of MLB players in a fresh association with basketball legend Michael Jordan.
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge has been on a roll lately, both on and off the field. After having a record-breaking 2022 season, he signed a nine-year contract with the Yanks for $360 million and became the 16th captain of the franchise. Moreover, he won multiple awards for his 2022 season stats, including his first AL-MVP award.
Meanwhile, off the court, Aaron Judge is a highly popular athlete. Arguably one of the greatest baseball players at the moment, he is using his fame very wisely. Judge has shown a willingness to use his platform for good and to promote the game of baseball to a wider audience. In the latest venture, he has joined hands with the legends of sports and partnered with a big sporting brand.
Aaron Judge To Represent Jordan Brand, Joins The Elite List Alongside Derek Jeter
In addition to putting up impressive numbers in the batter’s box, Judge has now joined the likes of Derek Jeter and Michael Jordan in elite company. Recently, Aaron Judge signed an endorsement deal with Nike’s Jordan brand, becoming just the fourth baseball player to do so, following in the footsteps of Derek Jeter, Mookie Betts, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The move not only solidifies Judge’s status as one of the crowned players in the game, but it also cements his place among a few of the greatest athletes of all time.
For Aaron Judge, joining Jeter and Jordan in the Jordan brand stable is a major accomplishment. Jeter is his idol whom he looks up to for inspiration. He is running shoulder to shoulder with him by taking over the captaincy reigns. Furthermore, Michael Jordan requires no introductions after all. Hence, joining Jordan bran not only does it give him access to the brand’s resources and marketing power but also puts him in an elite company. Like Jeter and Jordan, Judge has the potential to be not just a great athlete but a great brand ambassador as well.
Judge Turned Down $400 Million Offer From Padres To Rejoin Yankees
Meanwhile, on the field, Aaron Judge is the man of the hour. He increased his stakes with a record-breaking 2022 season. And hence when he entered free agency, teams lined up with lucrative offers. Recently, Judge’s manager revealed the San Diego Padres apparently offered the slugger a 12-year contract for an eye-popping salary of over $400 million.
However, Aaron Judge stayed true to his loyalty towards New York and refused the deal. He later called up the Yankees owner, Hal Steinbrenner, and asked him to get an extension deal in place as he wanted to return to the New York Yankees by any means. And the rest is history. It was a win-win situation for all, as Judge got what he wanted, but and Yankees retained a key player for nine long years.
