The Jordan family was a close-knit group. Deloris, whose entire being demanded the protection of her family, instilled in her children a sense of unity. To survive, they would have to stick together. Michael Jordan, in the initial days of his career, carried the same ideologies within him.
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But things changed after James Jordan’s brutal murder. The continuing court case had an adverse affect on Michael Jordan. He distanced himself from his family. Turned cold towards them. In Jordan’s biography, author Roland Lazenby wrote of one such instance where MJ willingly broke his brother’s heart.
Michael Jordan ruined Larry’s perfumery dreams
MJ’s success meant a way for his brother, sister, father, and mother to succeed too. He allowed all of them to find business ideas that could capitalize on his name and global popularity. However, James and Larry Jordan changed that for Michael. The Flight 23 store debacle, which ruined not just James’ image in Nike but also the family dynamic, was a lesson for MJ.
But perhaps the lesson turned Jordan too cold to his mother and siblings. The tragic death of his father had severed any shred of affection left in his heart for the Jordan family. He still loved them, but the bond had certainly changed.
When Larry was planning a Jordan perfume, Michael quietly let his brother continue. Yet, MJ was already poised to launch his cologne brand. When Larry finally found out about his brother’s product, he was heartbroken.
Lazenby wrote of this in detail: “Larry began developing a plan for a Jordan cologne. While aware of his brother’s activities, Michael had begun working with established perfume industry intermediaries through his agents to develop his own line. Michael eventually informed his brother of his plans, but only after Larry had spent substantial time and money developing the idea. The older brother was crushed by the news, and Deloris Jordan grew furious with her famous son.”
Jordan’s perfume made more than $75 million
Michael’s betrayal definitely cut through Larry. He was stunned. But Michael, perhaps slightly guilty, was raking in quite a profit. The cologne line had proven to be profitable. As per Fast Company’s article dated back to 1998, the perfume brand made $40 million in sales in the first seven weeks.
Fast Company projects that Bijan’s Michael Jordan cologne sold $75 million units in 1997. If Michael’s betrayal wasn’t enough, the success of the cologne must have hurt Larry even more.
