Michael Jordan can be famously petty when he feels slighted. Not even his agent was spared the blushes when MJ felt like it.
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David Falk has represented over 100 NBA players over his long career as an agent. But it’s safe to say that His Airness was the most high-profile player he worked with. Falk signed with Michael Jordan in his rookie year and was a crucial member of his team.
Jordan had a great relationship with his agent. One of the things he liked about Falk was that he was ready to be ruthless in his dealings. This is what he once said:
“A lot of people don’t like David, but he’s the best at what he does. What he does is get underneath your skin, whoever he’s negotiating with, because he figures out what your objectives are, your angles. He understands the market; he understands the players.”
“He’s a brash, arrogant, egotistical, aggressive negotiator, which is good, because when you have someone represent you, you want him to do that. Marketing-wise, he’s great. He’s the one who came up with the concept of ‘Air Jordan.'”
How Michael Jordan taught a lesson to David Falk at dinner
Even the best of friends tend to get a little edgy at times. One particular occasion was when Jordan met Falk for dinner:
“We had a dinner meeting, and I couldn’t get a word in. The meal was on his company bill. Anytime he orders wine, or orders anything, he checks the price.”
“But that night, he was taking time out from what we were talking about to make sure about the price.”
Eventually, Jordan had enough and decided to use Falk’s concern about the price of dinner against him.
“So now I say, ‘Give me the most expensive wine, and he’s picking up the tab. Then, I say, ‘Every time you interrupt what we’re talking about, I’m going to order another bottle.’ When I started ordering the ’61s, I quieted him right down, and we got through the conversation. That is a true story.”
