Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 7, 1993 TAG: 9310070178
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BY PHIL ROGERS DALLAS MORNING NEWS
DATELINE: DEERFIELD, ILL. LENGTH: Medium
Jordan, at 30 the world's most celebrated athlete, is retiring after nine years in the National Basketball Association rather than returning for Friday's opening of training camp with the Chicago Bulls.
He leaves professional basketball having won seven consecutive scoring titles and having led the Bulls to three consecutive NBA titles. He indicated the monotony of the routine had eclipsed the gratification of the rewards.
"I'm very solid with my decision not to play the game of basketball in the NBA," Jordan said. "I've heard a lot of different speculation about my reasons, but I've always stated to people who know me, who follow me, that when I lose my motivation, my feeling that I have something to prove in basketball, that it will be time for me to leave the game of basketball. . . . I don't have anything else to prove."
With long-term endorsement contracts from Nike and others estimated by marketing-industry analysts at $28 million a year, Jordan was able to walk away from the final three years of his contract with the Bulls. He was scheduled to receive $3.9 million a year for the rest of the contract.
"It's like the American dream," said Jerry Reinsdorf, the Bulls' owner. "The American dream is reaching a point in life where you don't have to do anything you don't want to do."
Jordan announced his decision Wednesday at a news conference, which was called Tuesday night after leaks about his decision forced him to flee Comiskey Park during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. A mob of reporters assembled at the Bulls' practice facility for Jordan's announcement.
While Jordan and his wife, Juanita, agent David Falk, NBA Commissioner David Stern and others sat behind a folding table at midcourt, reporters shouted questions carried on live television around the world.
"Michael looked unbelievably happy, at peace with himself," Stern said. "He should be at peace with himself."
Jordan, a low-handicap golfer who has expressed interest in joining the Senior PGA Tour when he becomes eligible at age 50, said his decision is subject to revision.
"I think retirement means you can do anything you want," Jordan said. "If I decide to come back and play again [in the NBA], it [could be] because that's a challenge I need down the road. I'm not going to close the door."
Jordan retires with a career scoring average of 32.3 points in 667 games. He was voted the NBA's Most Valuable Player in 1988, '91 and '92, and he also was the Defensive Player of the Year in '88. He set an NBA Finals record by averaging 41 points against Phoenix this year.
Jordan's decision follows a tumultuous year in which his father, James, was murdered and he had to defend himself from accusations about his gambling on the golf course and in casinos.
Jordan said those problems didn't affect his decision, although the July murder of his father in a roadside robbery was on his mind. He said he and his father had talked about his retirement since the Bulls won the first title in 1991.
"He saw me play my last basketball game," Jordan said. "That means a lot."
Reinsdorf said Jordan first hinted to him about retirement when he reported late for training camp after playing on the Olympic team last year.
"Mike told me he was losing his zeal for the game," he said. "He didn't know if he wanted to play. But he did play, and we won another championship."
Jordan, Reinsdorf said, told him "several weeks ago" that he had decided not to play this season. "I asked him not to make a hasty decision," Reinsdorf said. "I said, `Let's get together in a couple of weeks,' and we did that Sunday."
Reinsdorf said Jordan reiterated his desire to retire, and that he asked him only to meet with coach Phil Jackson and general manager Jerry Krause. Jordan met with them Tuesday before throwing out the first pitch for the Toronto-Chicago baseball game.
"I never wanted to leave the game when my skills had deteriorated," Jordan said. "I did not feel feet on my back, pushing me out. It's been very fortunate. I'm on top, coming off three championship seasons, coming off a time when I've seen my teammates take things on themselves. It's a perfect time for me to move on."
by CNB