In Light of Eddie Dow’s Murder, Michael Jordan’s Gambling Addiction was Supported by Nike: “Not the President or the Pope”

In 1992, Michael Jordan made headlines but for all the wrong reasons. His “love” for gambling found him in trouble, as he became involved in a murder case. Eddie Dow, a bail bondsman to who Jordan owed $100,000 was murdered in a robbery at his home. However, what was more suspect was the fact that the robbers left a few items behind. In particular, a couple of checks from MJ, totaling around $108,000. So, when this information came to light, the NBA launched an inquiry.

Now, it wasn’t into anything as gruesome as the murder itself, but the league was concerned about Michael’s gambling. As revealed in Roland Lazenby’s Michael Jordan: The Life, while they were taking aim at their biggest star, the Bulls and more importantly Nike, supported Jordan and his gambling.

Despite NBA inquiry, Nike supported Michael Jordan and his gambling addiction

Michael Jordan is quite a respected name in the world of sports. But, even he had his problems, and one of his biggest vices was gambling. The six-time NBA Champion has both lost and won quite a bit thanks to it.

However, in February 1992, his problem came to the forefront. The case of Eddie Dow became national news, as the bail bondsman was found murdered in his home. But, what made this case so newsworthy was its link to MJ. After all, checks worth close to $108,000 were left behind at Dow’s home, and his estate had confirmed that they were payment for gambling debts.

This put Michael in a tough spot. Obviously, it was a bad look, and the NBA decided to launch an inquiry into the matter. But, while they had their doubts, both the Bulls and Nike stood by his side, with Jerry Krause and Nike spokesperson Dusty Kidd voicing their support.

“‘I have complete confidence in him as a person,’ Krause said of Jordan. Nike took a similar approach. ‘In his private life, he should be able to do what every other person can do. He’s not the president or the pope,’ replied Dusty Kidd, a Nike spokesman, when queried by reporters.”

It was great that the Bulls and Nike pledged their support to Jordan, but that didn’t save him from the backlash. The media had a field day with the story, and used it to paint him as the “bad guy.”

Jordan’s gambling problem saw him face a huge media backlash

Michael Jordan became quite notorious for his gambling from that point forward. And, while he did claim it wasn’t an “addiction”, this did not stop the media from getting on his case. Rumors began about the repercussions of his gambling, especially with the NBA. Some conspiracy theorists even believe his first retirement was instigated by the league as a form of suspension.

However, in spite of all the backlash, things haven’t really changed. Jordan is still an avid gambler and still places the occasional bet whenever he can.

Gambling certainly is an issue that shouldn’t be taken lightly. But, when you’re Michael Jeffrey Jordan those problems probably don’t matter.