The premier example is Muhammad Ali, who died in May but courted controversy and a dramatic end to his boxing career in when he refused to be drafted to fight in Vietnam. Ali was promptly arrested. He had his world heavyweight title stripped and was banned from boxing in the United States for years. But that was then. Risking so much now has become almost unimaginable for professional athletes.
Political outspokenness is not absent in sports, but the spectre of the consequences that stem from courting controversy — a loss of endorsement deals, a fickle fan base turning on you — is a clear consideration when athletes decide whether to get involved in politics, especially in an era where anti-black racism is making news headlines at a rate not seen in years. Michael Jordan has spent most of his career in the "not" camp.
It remains unclear what direct affect this political silence has on his shoe sales. In fact, it seems unlikely at this point they'd take a dramatic hit at all, since Air Jordan sneakers have become so engrained in the cultural lexicon.
But one can't help but speculate: Would they have become so popular had their namesake been a political firebrand? Is it a stretch to say Jordan's broad appeal — at the expense, at times, of speaking out about things that mattered — made his sneakers so appealing to such a broad cross-section of Americans?
At the end of the day, Jordan owes his ability to sell so many shoes — as he undoubtedly will on Saturday — in part to avoiding anything that could make him politically toxic. It's not a decision that will make him a civil rights icon in the future. But it has made him very, very rich — and will continue to do so for many years. For you. World globe An icon of the world globe, indicating different international options. Get the Insider App.
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