Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Michael Jordan, despite being ''99.9 percent'' sure he would not play in the NBA again, unretires.
Compiled from Times wires
© St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 2001
WASHINGTON -- The worst-kept secret in sports is out: Michael Jordan will play again in the NBA -- and not for one season, but two.
After months of hints, Jordan announced his comeback Tuesday, saying he would play for the Wizards through 2003 and donate his first year's salary of $1-million to victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.
"I am returning as a player to the game I love," said Jordan, 38, and three years removed from what seemed to be a storybook ending to an unparalleled career. "I am especially excited about the Washington Wizards, and I'm convinced we have the foundation on which to build a playoff-contention team.
"The opportunity to teach our young players and help them elevate their game to a higher level, and to thank the fans in Washington for their loyalty and support, strongly influenced my decision," he said in a statement issued through his management agency.
The five-time league MVP, who retired for a second time in 1999 after leading the Chicago Bulls to their sixth title of the decade, made it official after clearing up a licensing issue with one of his sponsors -- a disagreement that delayed the announcement by a day. NBA rules also required Jordan to sell his ownership stake in the Wizards.
Jordan never completely ruled out a comeback when he retired in January 1999, hedging his bets with the statement that he was "99.9 percent" certain he never would play again. Leaving the door open, even by one-tenth of 1 percent, meant Jordan could slip back into a uniform without going back on his word.
"I am happy to welcome Michael Jordan, the player, back to the NBA, although, as commissioner, I am sorry to lose him in the board room," commissioner David Stern said. "Michael has always brought joy to basketball fans around the world, and, in these difficult times, we can all use a little more joy in our lives."
His debut will be Oct. 30 at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, and his first home game will be Nov. 3 against the 76ers.
"This is certainly an extremely important moment in the history of our franchise, however our excitement is muted by the world events that surround us," owner Abe Pollin said. "The greatest player in the history of the game is joining my team, and for that I am extremely honored and pleased."
Jordan will be in the unusual position of playing for the coach he hired, Doug Collins, who joined the Wizards in April and coached Jordan for three seasons with the Bulls in the 1980s.
"We'll see how fast the No. 23 Wizards jersey becomes the No. 1 selling jersey in the NBA. That probably will start today," Collins said.
Jordan has been in training for about six months, at first saying he was simply trying to lose the extra weight he had gained in retirement.
Inspired by his friend Mario Lemieux's successful comeback with the NHL's Penguins, Jordan rigorously worked himself into playing shape during the summer by holding several invitation-only camps of pickup games with other NBA players at a gym in Chicago.
Jordan said he would no further comment on his return until Monday. His first official practice will be the next day, when training camp opens in Wilmington, N.C.
The paperwork to sell his stake teams was completed Friday, and Jordan's lawyers ironed out the last few wrinkles to clear the way for his comeback announcement.
Jordan won 10 scoring titles and is the fourth all-time leading scorer with 29,277 points. He has averaged a league-record 31.5 points per regular-season game throughout his career and 33.4 in the playoffs.
"Michael's return will be wonderful for the sport of basketball," said Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Jordan's former coach. "I wish him all the best for this season. I am disappointed, however, that he turned down my standing invitation to play for the champs -- the Lakers."
Jordan's first retirement came in October 1993, after he led the Bulls to three titles. He returned to lead the Bulls to three more titles and retired again in January 1999.
Here are some of the questions that pop up for the return of Michael Jordan:
Q: Why isn't he playing for the Bulls?
A: Jordan's contract with the Bulls expired after the 1998 season, so he is a free agent. His relationship with Bulls general manager Jerry Krause was fragile and held together mostly by coach Phil Jackson, who left after the '98 season and coaches the Lakers. In January 2000, Jordan became president of basketball operations and part owner of the Washington Wizards. He was attracted to the position by Ted Leonsis, a top executive with AOL Time Warner who owns the company that controls the MCI Center and the Washington Capitals and owns a minority stake in the Wizards.
Q: Will he still be an owner of the Wizards?
A: NBA rules prevent players from owning stakes in the team, so Jordan, 38, will have to give up his minority position, reported to be 5 to 10 percent. Some reports have Jordan exchanging his Wizards stake for a greater position in the Washington Capitals hockey team, which Leonsis also owns. But the New York Times reported NBA rules prohibit such a move. Presumably, Jordan could make a deal with Leonsis to repurchase his shares when he retires.
Q: What about his management position with the Wizards?
A: Jordan no longer can be the Wizards president of basketball operations. His duties, which include negotiating player moves, likely will be divided between general manager Wes Unseld and assistant general manager Rod Higgins. They could consult Jordan about transactions as much as they like, but Jordan could not talk with officials of other teams because of tampering rules.
Q: Was Jordan good at management?
A: That depends on whom you ask. Critics knock Jordan for bungling his coaching moves, but others commend him for dealing veteran players whose contracts tied up most of the Wizards' salary cap. With new coach Doug Collins and young players such as No. 1 draft choice Kwame Brown, many believe the Wizards are headed in the right direction.
Q: Are people excited about Jordan's comeback?
A: Wizards ticket sales have increased more than 2,000 and have topped 12,000, nearing a franchise record. NBC and Turner Sports are arranging to broadcast more Wizards games.
Q: Can I get tickets to see him in Orlando?
A: The Wizards play in Orlando on Dec. 21 and March 8, both Fridays. The Magic included a Wizards game in each of two 10-game ticket packages, which are selling well. Single game tickets go on sale Oct. 6, but the Orlando Sentinel reports there likely will be only about 500 tickets for each game remaining. Call Ticketmaster or e-mail tickets@rdvsports.com.
Q: How much will Jordan earn?
A: Although his salary in his final season with the Bulls has been reported at $33-million to $36-million, Jordan signed a two-year contract with the Wizards for $1-million a season. He plans to donate this year's salary to the relief efforts resulting from the attacks. His endorsement income, still strong even though he hasn't played in three seasons, could soar. The Orlando Sentinel reported Nike, for whom Jordan endorses sporting goods, will introduce a new Jordan basketball shoe, which will sell for $200 a pair and include a compact disc. Gatorade has a new television commercial ready to go, the Sentinel reported.
Q: What was holding up his announcement?
A: Despite working for months to get in shape, Jordan has been slow to publicly commit to his long-rumored return. He had planned to announce it in a major news conference but decided against a big show in the wake of the terrorist attacks. Monday, the plans hit a snag over video-game licensing rights to Jordan's likeness, said Jeff Brown of EA Sports, a game manufacturer. NBA players are covered by a group licensing agreement between the players union and the league, but Jordan reached a special licensing agreement with the NBA in 1992. Jordan holds licensing rights for several products, but not for trading cards, uniform jerseys and video games. He was apparently trying to amend that 1992 agreement as it relates to video games.
-- Compiled by Mike Stephenson.