Andrew Pace
Michael Jordan is one of the few NBA players to have played for more than five years, and he is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Jordan first retired from the NBA on 6 October 1993, at the age of 30, after winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan retired twice more, in 1999 and 2003, before returning to the NBA in 2001 as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first retirement | 1993 |
| Age at first retirement | 30 |
| Date of first retirement announcement | October 6, 1993 |
| Reason for first retirement | Lack of desire to play |
| Number of consecutive NBA championships won before first retirement | 3 |
| Number of total retirements | 3 |
| Year of second retirement | 1999 |
| Age at second retirement | 36 |
| Date of second retirement | January 13, 1999 |
| Year of third retirement | 2003 |
| Age at third retirement | 40 |
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What You'll Learn
Michael Jordan's first retirement from basketball in 1993
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan, at the young age of 30, announced his retirement from the NBA, citing a loss of desire to play basketball. Jordan had just won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls, and his decision to retire from the game while still in his prime shocked the basketball world.
Jordan's retirement came just three months after the tragic murder of his father, James, in July 1993. Jordan was extremely close to his father, and his death deeply affected him. In fact, Jordan later stated that his father's death played a significant role in shaping his decision to retire. Additionally, Jordan had been experiencing exhaustion due to his celebrity status and the hassles that came with it. He had also been seen gambling in Atlantic City the night before a playoff game, leading to rumors that his retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling, although this was denied by the NBA commissioner.
Jordan's retirement sent shockwaves through the NBA and the sports world. He was one of the greatest players in basketball history, and his absence left a void that was difficult to fill. The NBA struggled to find a superstar player with the same level of affable celebrity as Jordan, and the league felt the impact of his departure.
During his retirement, Jordan pursued a career in baseball, signing a contract with the Chicago White Sox in February 1994. He played for the Birmingham Barons, a minor league affiliate of the White Sox, and appeared for the Scottsdale Scorpions in the 1994 Arizona Fall League. Jordan's number 23 jersey was retired by the Bulls during this time, honoring his incredible achievements with the team.
Jordan's retirement from basketball was short-lived, as he returned to the NBA and the Chicago Bulls in 1995. He led the Bulls to three more championships before retiring for the second time in 1999.
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Jordan's second retirement in 1999
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, retired from the NBA for the second time on January 13, 1999, at the age of 36. Jordan's second retirement came just before the start of the lockout-shortened 1998-99 NBA season. The announcement, made in front of a crowd of media members at Chicago's United Center, shocked the world.
Jordan's first retirement from the NBA was in 1993, after winning three consecutive NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. During his first retirement, he pursued a career in baseball, signing a contract with the Chicago White Sox in 1994. He returned to the NBA in 1995 and led the Bulls to three more championships.
By 1999, Jordan felt that he had lost the drive and desire necessary to continue playing at such a high level. He also expressed a desire to spend more time with his family. During his retirement press conference, Jordan stated that he was "99.9 percent" sure he would not come back to play again. He cited the departure of his longtime coach, Phil Jackson, and ongoing tension with the team's management as factors that influenced his decision. Jordan's 1999 retirement marked the end of an era for the Bulls, with several key players, including Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and Steve Kerr, being traded or released that year.
Jordan's retirement had a significant impact on the NBA, both on and off the court. He was known for his incredible scoring ability and defensive skills, earning him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness." His fame extended beyond the basketball court, with appearances in commercials, films, and music videos. Jordan's power at the ticket gates was unprecedented, with the Bulls regularly selling out both their home and away games. He set records for player salary, signing annual contracts worth over $30 million per season.
After his second retirement, Jordan returned to the NBA in 2001 as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards. He later took on a front-office role with the team, becoming Director of Basketball Operations. However, he was fired from this position in 2003, which led to his third and final retirement from the NBA.
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His return to the NBA in 2001
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, initially retired from the NBA in 1993 at the age of 30. However, his association with the sport continued, and he made a comeback in 1995, returning to the Chicago Bulls and leading them to three more championships. Jordan retired for the second time in 1999, stating that he was "99.9 percent certain" he would never play in the NBA again.
In 2001, Michael Jordan, then 38, made a surprising return to the NBA as a player and part-owner of the Washington Wizards. This decision came less than two years after his second retirement and about three years after his final season with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan's comeback at this stage of his career was impressive but not as successful as his previous stints. During his time with the Wizards, Jordan averaged 22.9 points per game, along with 5.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Despite his impressive performance, the Wizards failed to reach the playoffs during his two seasons with the team.
Jordan's return to the NBA in 2001 was motivated by his passion for the game and his desire to share his experiences with younger players. In a statement, he said:
> I am returning as a player to the game I love because during the last year and a half, as a member of Washington Wizards' management, I enjoyed working with our players, and sharing my own experiences as a player. I feel there is no better way of teaching young players than to be on the court with them as a fellow player, not just in practice, but in actual NBA games. While nothing can take away from the past, I am firmly focused on the future and the competitive challenge ahead of me.
Jordan's return generated excitement among fans, who eagerly awaited the opportunity to watch the legendary player in action once more. The Wizards sold out every home game during his two seasons with the team, and Jordan's performance continued to be record-breaking. On December 29, 2001, just two days after the worst game of his career, Jordan scored 51 points against the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to reach the 50-point threshold in a game.
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Jordan's final retirement in 2003
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, retired for the third and final time in 2003 at the age of 40. Jordan's final two seasons were with the Washington Wizards, with whom he had returned to the NBA in 2001 after his second retirement in January 1999.
Jordan's final season in 2002-03 was marked by tributes to the NBA legend. In his final game at the United Center in Chicago, his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation. On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game. Jordan's final NBA game was a 107-87 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on April 16, 2003, in which he scored 15 points. With 1 minute and 45 seconds left in the game, Jordan left the floor to a curtain call, marking the end of his illustrious NBA career.
Jordan's final retirement came after an injury-plagued 2001-02 season, where he led the Wizards in scoring, assists, and steals, and was an MVP candidate. However, he suffered a torn cartilage in his right knee, and the Wizards missed the playoffs. Jordan's final season in 2002-03 also did not result in a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and he often criticised his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity.
After his retirement, Jordan was fired from his role as Director of Basketball Operations with the Wizards on May 7, 2003, a decision that left him feeling betrayed. Over the following years, Jordan spent time playing golf, being with his family, and promoting his Jordan Brand clothing line.
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Rumours of a secret suspension for gambling
Michael Jordan, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, retired from the NBA multiple times. His first retirement was in 1993, and it was this departure that sparked rumours of a secret suspension for gambling.
Jordan's first retirement from the NBA came on October 6, 1993, when he was just 30 years old. This decision shocked the basketball world, as Jordan had just won his third consecutive NBA championship with the Chicago Bulls. In his retirement announcement, Jordan stated that he had lost his desire to play basketball, and that the murder of his father three months earlier had influenced his decision. He also cited physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom as reasons for his departure.
During the 1993 NBA playoffs, Jordan was seen gambling in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the night before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the New York Knicks. This was not the first time Jordan's gambling had made headlines. The previous year, he had admitted to incurring $57,000 in gambling losses, and author Richard Esquinas claimed in a 1993 book that he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course.
In the years following Jordan's 1993 retirement, rumours began to circulate that his departure had actually been a secret suspension by the NBA for his gambling habits. These rumours were fuelled by the timing of his retirement, which came just before the start of the NBA season, and the fact that Jordan had been seen gambling during the playoffs. Despite these rumours, David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA, denied in 1995 and 2006 that Jordan's retirement had been a secret suspension, and Jordan himself denied that his gambling had jeopardized his livelihood or family.
In addition to the denials from Jordan and the NBA, there is also evidence to suggest that Jordan's first retirement was not due to a secret suspension. For one, Jordan had hinted at retirement as early as the summer of 1992, citing exhaustion from his celebrity status and the "Dream Team" run in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Furthermore, Jordan's father's murder in July 1993 was a significant factor in his decision to retire, as he stated in his retirement announcement that he wanted to focus on his family.
While the rumours of a secret suspension for gambling may persist, there is no definitive evidence to support them. Jordan's first retirement in 1993 was likely influenced by a combination of factors, including exhaustion, the loss of his father, and perhaps a desire to pursue other interests, such as his brief stint in minor league baseball that followed.
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Frequently asked questions
Michael Jordan retired from basketball for the first time in 1993.
Michael Jordan was 30 years old when he retired for the first time.
Michael Jordan retired from basketball in 1993 because he no longer felt motivated to play.
Yes, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995 and played for the Chicago Bulls until his second retirement in 1999.
Yes, Michael Jordan retired from basketball three times. His second retirement was in 1999 and his third and final retirement was in 2003.
