Michael Jordan Can't Decide Who Gets Shoe Deals Due to Cap Rules

Michael Jordan is among the most powerful and influential figures in basketball history, but the NBA has had restrictions in place to avoid a conflict of interest between Jordan's ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats and his world-famous shoe brand.

According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, the league decided that His Airness isn't permitted to decide which players land shoe deals with Jordan Brand due to salary-cap rules. 

Rovell first reported the procedures in 2013, when the team signed its fourth player on the roster to Jordan's brand:

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"With Michael Jordan's ownership of the Bobcats, the Board of Governors recognized his Nike relationship and that the Jordan brand has deals with NBA players," NBA spokesman Mike Bass said in 2013, per Rovell, "Certain restrictions were put in place to ensure compliance with our rules."

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Per Nike.com, 27 current and former NBA players are currently under Air Jordan deals. That includes the likes of Jordan himself, Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Carmelo Anthony.

Two of Jordan's current Bobcat players—Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Cody Zeller—are part of the Jordan Brand family.

Promising potential signees shoe deals in addition to their contracts could have given Charlotte a leg up on the competition, which would have created a competitive imbalance.

Ultimately, the league's procedures are there to make sure Jordan's business interests don't create a conflict of interest, for either his apparel line or the Bobcats, and keep a level playing field for everyone in the business.

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