Helena Frye
Michael Jordan is a former collegiate and professional basketball player widely considered to be one of the greatest players in the history of the game. Over the course of his 19-year career, Jordan retired from basketball three times. Jordan's first retirement was in 1993, when he stepped away from the Chicago Bulls to pursue a career in baseball following the death of his father. He returned to basketball in 1995 and won three more championships before retiring for the second time in 1998. Jordan's final retirement came in 2003, when he hung up his jersey for good at the age of 40.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First retirement | 6 October 1993 |
| Reason for first retirement | Lost sense of motivation |
| Second retirement | 13 January 1999 |
| Reason for second retirement | 99.9% certain he was retired for good |
| Third and final retirement | 16 April 2003 |
| Age during first retirement | 30 |
| Age during second retirement | 36 |
| Age during third and final retirement | 40 |
| Total NBA seasons played | 15 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement in 1993
Michael Jordan, arguably the most recognisable athlete in the world, stunned fans across the globe when he announced his retirement from basketball on October 6, 1993. Jordan's first retirement came after completing his first three-peat with the Chicago Bulls, winning his third NBA Championship and third NBA Finals MVP.
Jordan's father, James, was murdered in North Carolina three months before his retirement, which Jordan later said helped shape his decision. James Jordan was killed by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery, who carjacked his Lexus. His body was dumped in a South Carolina swamp and was not discovered until two days later. Green and Demery were sentenced to life imprisonment. Jordan also stated that he retired due to physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom.
Jordan's gambling habits also fuelled rumours that his 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league. In 1992, author Richard Esquinas wrote a book claiming he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course. In 2005, Jordan admitted to Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes that he had made reckless decisions and jeopardised his livelihood and family due to his gambling. However, in 1995 and 2006, David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, denied that Jordan's retirement was related to gambling.
After his retirement, Jordan took up baseball, playing for the Birmingham Barons, a Double-A minor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. He also appeared for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League. In March 1995, Jordan decided to quit baseball, fearing he might become a replacement player during the Major League Baseball strike. Jordan returned to basketball in 1995, winning three back-to-back championships.
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Jordan's return to the NBA in 1995
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in history, returned to the NBA in March 1995. Jordan had left the NBA in October 1993, citing physical and mental exhaustion, and pursued a career in professional baseball. He played Minor League Baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization.
Jordan's return boosted the Bulls, who went on to make the playoffs and advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Orlando Magic. Jordan initially wore jersey number 45, his baseball number, but after being stripped by Orlando's Nick Anderson in the first game, who commented that Jordan "didn't look like the old Michael Jordan", Jordan resumed wearing his former number 23. The Bulls were fined $25,000 for the unreported number change, and Jordan was fined an additional $5,000 for wearing white sneakers when the team wore black.
In the 1995–96 season, Jordan, along with the addition of rebound specialist Dennis Rodman, led the Bulls to dominate the league. They finished with a record of 72–10, the best regular-season record in NBA history at the time. Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 points per game and won the league's regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards. The Bulls went on to win the NBA Finals and secure their fourth championship.
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His second retirement in 1999
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, retired from the sport for the second time on January 13, 1999. Jordan's second retirement came just a few months after he led the Chicago Bulls to their sixth and final NBA championship with him on the team. Jordan, who was 36 at the time, announced his retirement in front of a crowd at Chicago's United Center, sharing that he had lost the drive and desire necessary to continue playing at such a high level and that he wanted to spend more time with his family.
Jordan's second retirement came after bitter tension between General Manager Jerry Krause and Coach Jackson, which resulted in Jackson's departure from the team. Jordan had earlier stated that he would not play for any coach besides Jackson. Shaken by the murder of his father and an NBA investigation into allegations of illegal betting (of which he was eventually cleared), Jordan had abruptly retired from basketball before the 1993-94 NBA season to play Minor League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox. He returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships before his second retirement in 1999.
Jordan's 1999 retirement marked the end of an era for the Chicago Bulls, with the team trading or releasing several key players, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Steve Kerr. The impact of Jordan's retirement extended beyond the Bulls, with the NBA facing declining ratings and economic experts speculating about significant financial losses for the league without Jordan. Jordan, who became the first billionaire player in NBA history in 2016, returned to the NBA in January 2000 as part-owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards.
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Jordan's comeback in 2001
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players of all time, initially retired from the sport in 1993 and pursued a career in professional baseball. However, his love for the game brought him back to the court in March 1995, and he continued to play until 1998.
In 2001, Jordan made another comeback, this time with the Washington Wizards. On September 11, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA, but the tragic terrorist attacks that occurred on the same day overshadowed his announcement. Two weeks later, he released a simple statement through his management agency, stating, "I am returning as a player to the game I love." At 38 years old, Jordan signed a two-year contract with the Wizards, stepping down from his role as the team's president of basketball operations to join the active roster.
Jordan's second comeback was not as successful as his first. The Wizards failed to reach the playoffs in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons, winning only 37 games. Jordan's age and injury troubles limited his effectiveness on the court. Despite this, he still performed at a high level, considering the context of his situation and the stage of his career.
Jordan's comeback with the Wizards is often overlooked, with some even acting as though it never happened. However, it showcased his unwavering passion for the sport and his dedication to mentoring young players. Jordan's impact extended beyond his playing years, as he later became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets (then the Bobcats) in 2006, further shaping the sport even after his playing days.
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Final retirement in 2003
Michael Jordan, widely considered one of the greatest basketball players in history, retired for the third and final time on April 16, 2003, at the age of 40. His final game was against the Philadelphia 76ers, where he scored 13 points.
Jordan's final two seasons with the Washington Wizards did not result in a playoff appearance, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him. At several points, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity.
Jordan's final season was recognized as such throughout the NBA, and he was paid tribute. In his final game at the United Center in Chicago, his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.
Jordan was fired from his role as Director of Basketball Operations by Wizards owner Abe Pollin on May 7, 2003. He later stated that he felt betrayed and that if he had known he would be fired upon retiring, he never would have returned to play for the Wizards.
After his final retirement from basketball, Jordan spent time with his family in Chicago and played golf in celebrity charity tournaments. He also promoted his Jordan Brand clothing line and rode motorcycles. In 2004, he founded Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan retired from basketball three times over the span of his 19-year professional career. He first retired in 1993, returning in 1995, then retired again in 1998 before returning to the court with the Wizards. He retired for the final time in 2003.
Jordan retired in 1993 because he felt he had nothing left to prove in the game of basketball. He also wanted to pursue a career in professional baseball, which he played until 1995.
Yes, Michael Jordan bought the Charlotte Hornets in 2010 and maintained a minority ownership stake as of 2023.
