“Each would get $20,000 instead of $100,000 for him” – Michael Jordan wouldn’t do a Disney commercial if he couldn’t split the money with his teammates
“Each would get $20,000 instead of $100,000 for him” – Michael Jordan wouldn’t do a Disney commercial if he couldn’t split the money with his teammates originally appeared on Basketball Network.
Michael Jordan was always labeled as a ball hog or a selfish player who did not want to pass the ball to his teammates early in his career. However, while many criticized the way Jordan played the game, there was not much they could say about Mike outside of playing basketball.
As a teammate, Jordan was a generous individual who never wanted to keep the blessing that he received for himself, especially money. One of the earliest instances where the young Michael showed his generosity to his Chicago Bulls teammates was when he shared with them his winnings from the 1987 Dunk Contest.
After losing to Dominique Wilkins as a rookie during his first Dunk Contest appearance in 1985, Jordan was determined to get his revenge in 1987.
But before he flew to Seattle for the All-Star Weekend, MJ told his teammates while on their way home after a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks in their last game before the All-Star break that if he won the $12,500 prize, he would give each teammate $1,000.
The “I’m going to Disney World” commercial with the Bulls’ starting five
Then, in 1991, when the Chicago Bulls faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals, MJ refused to appear in a Disney commercial if his teammates were not included. By including them in the advertisement, Jordan agreed to share his talent fee equally with them.
“Another gracious gesture would follow the Finals: The Disney people had contacted both Jordan and Johnson, wanting the winner to declare his intention of “going to Disney World” after the final game. Both agreed, but Jordan said he would only do it if the commercial featured the whole starting five. Each would get $20,000 instead of $100,000 for him,” wrote Sam Smith.
The “I’m going to Disney World” slogan was used by Walt Disney to promote its theme park resorts in the United States. This began in 1987 when the company asked the MVP of a sports champion team to say the line “I’m going to Disney World” after winning the championship.
They did this after the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. And so, after the Bulls clinched the 1991 NBA title against the Lakers, the Bulls starting five did the ad and split the money
Mike gave Pippen the Nissan car for the 1997 Finals MVP
Fast forward to 1997, when the Bulls won their fifth NBA championship during a seven-year span. As with their previous title-winning years, MJ was named as Finals MVP. But that year, Jordan gave the Nissan car awarded to the Finals MVP to his beloved sidekick Scottie Pippen.
“When I win the MVP and I will hold true to my word, I will take the trophy. He can have the car. Imma make sure he gets the car because he’s like a little brother to me… That’s what brothers do, we share our success and that’s what I’m doing to him. I just want the trophy. I got enough cars, he can have the Nissan,” Jordan said during the post-game press conference.
Even though he was very demanding when it came to his teammates on the court, Jordan was always willing to share the blessing of his labor, no matter how big or small.
