Michael Jordan was severely underpaid for most of his career despite revolutionizing the global reach and popularity of the NBA. In 1988, Jordan signed an eight-year deal with the Chicago Bulls worth $25 million, which meant that the Chicago Bulls legend was barely getting the money he deserved during the team’s legendary run in the 90s. So when free agency rolled around in 1996, MJ felt like he needed to leave the Windy City.
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During an interview with Cigar Aficionado in 2005, Jordan admitted that the New York Knicks were a real option for him to consider.
However, the Bulls had been very kind to MJ till that point. When he had initially retired in 1993, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf continued to pay MJ his NBA salary even after he left the team to play baseball.
Considering Jordan was playing Minor League Baseball, he was undoubtedly getting a hefty salary. But once he returned and restored the Bulls to their past glory, the money just wasn’t enough compared to what he brought to the table.
During the sit-down in 2005, Cigar Aficionado’s Marvin R. Shanken asked His Airness about the rumor that he was approached by the New York Knicks in free agency.
At the time, the then-four-time NBA Champion was unhappy with how things were in Chicago. MJ had just entered free agency following the completion of his eight-year $25 million deal with the Bulls and was looking for a much bigger contract.
In response to the query, Jordan initially told Shanken that the rumors were just that, rumors. However, after a little pressing, MJ admitted that there was a dialogue between his team and the Knicks.
“It was truly a rumor. We had one occasion when there was a dialogue. It must have been in 1996 or 1997 because of my contract situation in Chicago. But nothing ever really materialized.”
Fortunately, discussions ended with just one dialogue. Shortly after hearing the rumor, Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf paid MJ what he was owed.
Jordan signed two consecutive one-year deals that raked in more than $30 million a year. And, it was 100% worth it, considering Chicago went on to win two more Championships after that.
However, there’s no doubt that Jordan going to the Knicks would been a very strange experience for most NBA fans. The Bulls’ Eastern Conference rivalry against the Patrick Ewing-led Knicks is well-documented. Therefore, MJ joining the enemy would have seriously affected the lore around the rivalry.
