Michael Jordan‘s existence on the basketball court meant that he would pull in crowds. He was such a phenomenon during his time in the NBA that the mere sight of his return to the league caused a mass frenzy. It was so ferocious that scalpers were selling tickets at a whopping $1000! They purchased it for a meager $95.
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The 1990s were all about Michael Jordan. The most famous player in the world. So much so that his retirement meant that the league would be without revenue and that nobody would like to see what is going on in the NBA.
In the two seasons when he vanished, between 1993-1995, the NBA ratings dipped. When he announced he would return, the media went into chaos. His return was expected to be vs the Knicks, at Madison Square Garden.
Michael Jordan’s first return triggered ticket prices to soar, some even touching $1000, a 10.5x hike from the original price of $95!
As per an excerpt from Sports Illustrated, Jordan’s return triggered an insane frenzy. Scalpers were able to sell tickets for lower box seats that come in at around $95 for over $1000.
We don’t think most stocks in the market could have that gain in value, that quickly. MJ was the man of the moment. Everyone wanted to see the NBA’s most prized superstar.
His return was eventful. It lived up to the billing. Every metric of hype it set, it shattered. Jordan erupted in the garden and alas, the prodigal son hath returned.
How good did he play exactly?
Michael Jordan decimated the Knicks and stunned the world on his return
You would think that a player un-retiring and coming back to play would be rusty. No, you would be wrong, because, on March 28, 1995, Michael Jordan decimated the New York Knicks.
In Madison Square Garden, Jordan came with a swagger and a new jersey, no.45 and he dropped 55 points on the Bulls. He led the Chicago Bulls to a 113-111 victory.
His performance was a reminder of his talent and dominance in the NBA, and it sent a message to his opponents that he was still a force to be reckoned with. His “Double Nickel” game as we call it remains one of the most iconic games to date.
