Is Adidas planning to make Jude Bellingham its own Michael Jordan? England star's image rights companies have banked £2.5m already - as sports firm bosses 'consider using signature celebration as new logo'

EXCLUSIVE Is Adidas planning to make Jude Bellingham its own Michael Jordan? England star's image rights companies have banked £2.5m already - as sports firm bosses 'consider using signature celebration as new logo' By Martin Robinson, Chief Reporter Published: 07:50 BST, 20 June 2024 | Updated: 07:51 BST, 20 June 2024 e-mail View comments For many, Michael Jordan is considered the greatest sportsman of all time - including by Jude Bellingham himself. The American athlete transcended basketball to become a global icon and a Hollywood star while still winning NBA championships for the Chicago Bulls.

MJ also became the greatest trainers salesman in history, with Air Jordan shoes breaking through the $5billion (£4.4bn) mark for the first time last year - 20 years after he retired. Enter Jude Bellingham, a young black icon, also from humble beginnings, who has taken the world of his chosen sport by storm.

And while he is yet to achieve a fraction of Michael Jordan's successes and hero status, Jude has made his mark on the world stage at the age of 20 - a year earlier than his idol Jordan, whose rookie year in the NBA was when he turned 21. Brand and culture expert Nick Ede predicts that Jude Bellingham could be the sporting world’s next Michael Jordan. Adidas are reported to be considering releasing a logo for Jude, using his signature goal celebration – just like Nike’s iconic Air Jordan 'Jumpman' emblem.

Bellingham’s decision to trademark his name and secure his image.