Make-A-Wish Foundation^® grants Leone's wish with help of the Jordan Brand

PORTLAND, Ore. – Leone, 12, of Salem, Ore., experienced his wish-come-true to meet his hero Michael Jordan on Thursday in the Jordan Brand offices at Nike World Headquarters. Jordan Brand, a division of NIKE, Inc., hosted this basketball fan as a VIP throughout the entire day, showering him with surprises and a private one-on-one session with Michael Jordan, who is now Chief Wish Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Leone qualified for a wish from the Foundation because he has a life-threatening medical condition – acute lymphoblastic leukemia – which is a cancer of the white blood cells.

Leone and his family arrived at the Nike campus via a limousine from Salem to be greeted by Jordan Brand employees and his Make-A-Wish^® wish granters. Leone began his visit with a luncheon in his honor hosted by the Jordan Brand staff. Afterwards, Michael Jordan arrived to meet Leone and his family. Jordan spent one-on-one time with Leone talking about hoops and answering questions. A major highlight was when Jordan presented Leone with his own pair of custom laser designed Jordan AJF6 shoes in a custom laser designed wooden shoe box.

“It was so cool and it made me really happy,” said Leone of meeting Jordan. “I admire him and he’s my favorite basketball player. I’ll remember this day for my whole life.”

After meeting Michael Jordan, Leone’s wish day was certainly not over. The 12-year-old was whisked away to watch the shoe design process with Jordan Footwear Designer Jason Mayden, and then got a sneak peek of upcoming products with Jordan Product Director Josiah Lake. He concluded his magical wish day with a tour of the Nike campus and a visit to the Nike Employee Store.

Michael Jordan, regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time and asuccessful business leader, was recently named Chief Wish Ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Jordan, who has granted more than 175 wishes during the past two decades, serves as lead figure for the Foundation’s newly formed Wish Ambassador Council and as a national spokesman, assisting the Foundation’s efforts to increase wish-granting outreach.

About the Make-A-Wish Foundation: The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. Founded in 1980 when a group of caring volunteers helped a young boy fulfill his dream of becoming a police officer, the Foundation is now the largest wish-granting charity in the world, with 66 chapters in the United States and its territories. With the help of generous donors and nearly 25,000 volunteers, the Make-A-Wish Foundation grants a wish every 40 minutes and has granted more than 174,000 wishes in the United States since its inception. For more information about the Make-A-Wish Foundation, visit www.wish.org and discover how you can share the power of a wish®.

About Jordan Brand: A division of NIKE, Inc., Jordan Brand is a premium brand of footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the dynamic legacy, vision and direct involvement of Michael Jordan. The Jordan Brand made its debut in 1997 and has grown into a complete collection of performance and lifestyle products. The Jordan Brand remains active in the community by donating a portion of its proceeds to Jordan Fundamentals, an education grants program for teachers. For more information on Jordan Brand, visit www.Jumpman23.com.