If it wasn’t for his incredible abilities on the basketball court, one would wonder whether Michael Jordan was actually a golf professional instead. Such is his love for the game. The love affair started in the summer of 1984, after finishing his junior year at UNC. However, the love quickly turned into a self-proclaimed addiction. In fact, as mentioned in the book ‘The Jordan Rules’, Michael once even turned down $250,000 because he had a golf trip planned.
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In an interview in 2005, Michael spoke about the importance of basketball and golf in his life. He deemed the former as a passion that he would like to do as much as possible. The latter, on the other hand, he termed as an addiction that he can’t seem to leave behind. Jordan has gambled away large sums of money to this addiction and has also landed in trouble for it on numerous occasions.
Michael Jordan turns down money for a golf tour
Michael Jordan has been involved with golf for many a decade, and the sport seems to be his happy place. In the book – ‘The Jordan Rules‘ by Sam Smith, the author talks about Michael’s decision to skip business seminars so that he can go on a golf tour. To him, it did not matter how much he was getting paid. Here is the extract in question from the book:
“He [Jordan] moved past the likes of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus as the most profitable commercial spokesman in America. It was why Jordan could turn down $18,000 for a one-hour store-opening appearance, or $250,000 for a business seminar weekend because he had a golf trip planned.”
The NBA superstar had become one of the most commercialized celebrities in America, and brands were willing to pay ridiculous amounts of money for his presence. However, Michael had his priorities set. His golf addiction had his making huge bets which eventually turned into debts. He even got into trouble for writing a cheque to a notorious golf hustler, and drug dealer, Slim Bouler. Michael was later summoned to explain himself in a court of law. It was later found to be nothing more than him paying off a gambling debt.
Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley played golf together
Charles Barkley had a special bond that he shared with Jordan off the basketball court. The NBA superstars were drafted in the same class and were close friends during their time in the league. Their friendship carried to the golf course, as they were regularly spotted playing the game in the 90s.
With a hilarious style of swinging the club, Michael always poked fun at Charles. However, one such swing almost gave Jordan a heart attack when Charles hit the ball 103 yards away into the people. To everyone’s relief, no one was hurt, and the moment eventually turned into a hilarious anecdote.
