In October 1993, the world was taken aback by the sudden announcement of Michael Jordan’s retirement from basketball. The news was especially surprising given that he had just led the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive championships. As an NBA legend, Jordan’s departure from the sport sparked widespread speculation and curiosity. Although various theories circulated, Jordan himself cited the need for a respite from basketball as the primary reason for his decision, particularly in light of the tragic loss of his father a few months prior.
One of the most prominent conspiracy theories was that then-NBA commissioner David Stern banned the Bulls superstar because of his gambling issues that cast a negative light on the league. During Episode 7 of ‘The Last Dance’ both Stern and MJ denied such speculations.
Furthermore, writer and journalist Mark Vancil revealed that Jordan had told him during the 1992 Barcelona Olympics that he was going to shock the world by quitting basketball and going to play baseball. When Vancil asked the Bulls legend when he would do that, Jordan replied that he would do it now, ‘except Bird and Magic never went three [championships] in a row’.
That’s how the desire to have the upper hand over Larry Bird and Magic Johnson kept Air in the league for another year, during which he won the third straight NBA title for Chicago and retired the following fall.
Mark Vancil recalled his memories of first hearing that Jordan wanted to retire and pursue a professional baseball career:
