Over time, GOAT debates have become overdone and tiresome. Everyone has an opinion and viewpoint. Eventually, circles are run over and over, and the same blather gets repeated.
Whatever your stance, there’s no denying Michael Jordan’s impact on the sport.
Global visibility. The biggest sportswear brand (Nike). In NBA history, there have been three different franchises to 3-peat in NBA history, on five different occasions. Jordan's Chicago Bulls did it from '91-'93, and then, after Jordan went on a year and a half hiatus to try his hand at baseball, the Bulls did it again from '96-'98. The Celtics from '58-'66 and the Lakers from '00-02 are the others.
The Bulls missed the playoffs from 1999-2004. They have made one Eastern Conference Final since 1998. They have missed the playoffs seven out of the last nine years.
Yet, the Bulls’ logo is still one the most popular in the league. For 2023-24, based on NBA Store sales, the Bulls were the fifth-highest selling team in terms of merchandise.
How else do you explain that?
In retirement, Jordan has lived out of the spotlight. Fishing tournaments and yachts. Ownership and investments like 23XI Racing (with NASCAR's Denny Hamlin) and Cincoro Tequila. In June of 2023, Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for nearly $3 billion. He lives in Palm Beach County, roughly 1,300 miles from Chicago. Lowkey. Peaceful.
He is of the world’s most iconic athletes and people. At one time, the athletic pantheon was Ruth, Ali, Brown, Gretzky, and Jordan (February 17 is coincidentally Jim Brown’s birthday, too - it would have been his 89th). Add Wilt in that pantheon, too. Since, the likes of Brady, LeBron, Serena, and Tiger have received admission to the exclusive group.
But the point is, a lot of what you see today in the sports world would not have been possible without one Michael Jeffrey Jordan. His impact is now and forever felt. Superstardom does not get much bigger.
Happy Birthday, MJ.
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