Was Space Jam or Gambling to Blame for Jordan's First Retirement? Artwork

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Was Space Jam or Gambling to Blame for Jordan's First Retirement?

May 08, 2023 • Courtney and her cool friends • Season 4 • Episode 7

What did you think of todays' episode?

Picture it: a 30 year old Michael Jordan has just won his third championship in as many years with the Chicago Bulls. He doesn't look to be stopping--and yet, he retires on October 6th, 1993 to the shock of so many. Why would the greatest athlete at that time retire? His father was murdered that summer, he had taken a physical beating in those playoff games, and emotionally he wasn't in it. All of that adds up. But...what if it had to do with the gambling stories that came out during the NBA Finals in 1993? Or maybe it was all a ruse for him to try out baseball so it could all be included in the critically acclaimed and life changing movie Space Jam.

In this week's conspiracy theory episode, Matt and I tackle how Black Jesus, per Reggie Miller, retired and did it really have something to do with a NBA suspension for gambling? He had a brush with federal authorities in 1992 that made his gambling known, and then the May 24th Atlantic City visit during the Knicks game series, and then Esquinas' book. So...I mean...maybe?

For more information on Michael Jordan's father's death.