Having Gifted Michael Jordan His $1.3 Billion Sneaker Business, Sonny Vaccaro Believed Juanita Vanoy Was Too Good for ‘His Airness’

In life, Michael Jordan had all he ever wanted. He had a great career, a ton of money, and has forged a legacy that will last ages.

However, Sonny Vaccaro, the Nike executive who handed Jordan his Nike deal believes His Airness had something more important.

According to Vaccaro, MJ’s ex-wife Juanita Vanoy was an integral part of his good fortune. Someone who was perhaps too good for him.

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Former Nike executive Sonny Vaccaro believed Juanita Vanoy was too good for Michael Jordan

In 1989, Michael Jordan got married to Juanita Vanoy. They met in Chicago after being introduced to each other by a mutual friend. They were married for 17 years before finally divorcing each other in 2002. But, there can be no denying that they were good together.

Just ask Sonny Vaccaro. Vaccaro who played a part in helping Jordan get his $1.3 billion from Nike had a high opinion of Vanoy. As seen in the book Michael Jordan: The Life by Roland Lazenby, Vaccaro believed that Vanoy was one of MJ’s greatest fortunes.

“Vanoy was “just a very classy lady,” Vaccaro observed, not the type of woman who had to make things “all about herself.” She was giving and patient, and their ability to converse seemed a key to Jordan’s understanding himself and all that was happening to him, Vaccaro added, pointing out that celebrities like Jordan don’t often encounter down-to-earth women like Vanoy. His marriage could be added high on the list of Jordan’s immense good fortune. As his parents’ relationship came apart before his eyes, Jordan now had a new stability that he could turn to. Juanita provided a refuge of home and family and sensibility.”

High praise from Vaccaro. But, if Jordan has regrets about his previous marriage, one of them will be the $168 million he lost in the divorce settlement.

MJ had to pay Juanita Vanoy $168 million and more thanks to their divorce settlement

In 2006, Michael and Juanita Vanoy ended their 17-year relationship. The resulting settlement was at the time, the largest divorce settlement in sports history, with Jordan having to pay his ex-wife upwards of $168 million.

It’s been a long time since their separation, and both Jordan and Vanoy have now moved on.

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