Michael Jordan & Co. send Maya Moore a heartfelt gift to mark the retirement of the Lynx jerseys 13 years after the statement deal

“Maaaya! Maaya! Maaya!” At the Target Center in Minneapolis tonight, the name of one of the Lynx’s all-time greatest players was called as the legend’s No. 23 jersey was hoisted aloft. “Honored,” That’s how Maya Moore described the ceremony. But Michael Jordan’s collaboration with Nike made it even more special. How? Here, the Jordan Brand celebrates the epic run of the Minnesota GOAT.

According to many, Maya Moore’s signing with Jordan is a statement, making her the first WNBA player to ever sign with them. Tonight, the Jordan Brand gifted her gold sneakers that turn each of her greatest achievements into physical memorabilia. From being named Rookie of the Year (2011) to her 4 WNBA titles, everything was part of this gesture. The WNBA’s official Instagram account posted the same to honor this player’s legendary career. They wrote: “Jordan Brand gives Maya Moore-Irons a piece of her legacy 💙 Career memories become treasures, a touching tribute to greatness.”

Since entering the league, Maya Moore has become an idol for Caitlin Clark and many others. Not only has she broken all records, but she has also made sure that her impact reaches people outside the league. In fact, this was the reason why Michael Jordan chose her to be his brand’s first WNBA player in 2011. Let’s go through how Moore landed one of the most epic deals.

Looking back at Maya Moore’s signing with Jordan

Maya Moore had a successful NCAA career at UConn with back-to-back championships in 2009 and 2010. Then she was selected as the first player in 2011. But before she even entered the WNBA, the Jordan family welcomed her into their home. When Michael Jordan signed her to a $3-4 million per year contract, he told ESPN: “I am thrilled to welcome Maya Moore to the Jordan Brand. Not only has Maya proven to be a highly accomplished player on the court, but her hunger and determination to make an impact off the court make her a valuable addition to the Jordan family.”

As much as the NBA GOAT was happy to see Moore elevate her status, she was also thrilled. She told a media outlet at the time: “As a student of the sport, it is a dream come true to associate myself with a brand that has a rich history in the sport. Like most kids, I grew up idolizing Michael Jordan and continue to work tirelessly to achieve his iconic status on the court. I am truly motivated to take my career to the next level as a member of Team Jordan.”

Although she never had her own shoe with the brand, there were several collaborations with her. These included Air Jordan 11, XX3s, Air Jordan 10, Air Jordan XX8 PEs, and Air Jordan 1 PE. Although she stopped playing in the WNBA after 2018, Maya Moore stayed with the Jordan Brand until 2023. Truly a great achievement for a player who never even broke into professional basketball. There’s no denying that the Jordan Brand has also contributed.

Stay tuned for more updates like this and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” when our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team selection Asia Avinger.