Don't Be Like Mike

Salon ^ | 10/5/2001 | Tom Schaller

[Sanjuro68]

Excerpt:

Corporate shill: According to Fortune magazine, Jordan's endorsements constitute the greatest assemblage of sports sponsorships ever. But Jordan has shown little concern about the social implications of his sponsorships. He hardly batted an eye at the accusations of wage, labor and health abuses by Jordan-sponsor Nike in its treatment of employees in Southeast Asia.

Political and race compromiser: Former Charlotte, N.C., mayor Harvey Gantt, an African-American, twice ran and lost U.S. Senate challenges to unseat Jesse Helms. When approached by Gantt's campaign for an endorsement, Jordan replied dismissively, "Republicans buy sneakers, too."

[Sanjuro68]

The piece is a tired screed against Michael Jordan, but the above section caught my eye.

[Sanjuro68]

Sorry, this was my first post. I got the date wrong (it's 11/05/01) and the link didn't post:

http://www.salon.com/people/feature/2001/11/05/jordan/index.html

[dirtboy]

Pretty ludicrous article by Salon, considering how little concern they have shown about the social consequences of their blind support for the Clintons...

[wheezer]

When approached by Gantt's campaign for an endorsement, Jordan replied dismissively, "Republicans buy sneakers, too."

Sure do, but Nike's a bit to pricey for me.

Too bad the league's in such bad shape that MJ had to make an ill advised return to try to save it from itself and it's slippery commisioner.

[Texaggie79]

I feel sorry for minority sports stars. They know in their heart that conservatives are right, but their guilt forces them to stay demoncrat.

[dighton]

Your link works fine.

Hmmmm, business advice in Salon ...

[Texaggie79]

BTW, I got your latest album. Pretty good.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Michael doesn't "have" to do anything. He chose to do this. No one twisted his arm. And many NBA muckety-mucks were against it, thinking his return would steal the thunder of the newer, younger players. I say...... bring it on!

FYI disclaimer - we live about 1 mile south of the Bulls' training hall. So yes, you can count me amongst those who wish Reinsdorf would have seen fit to give Michael a piece of the administrative action around here. Chicago's loss is DC's gain.

[r9etb]

Sure do, but Nike's a bit to pricey for me.

I only run in Nikes -- for whatever reason, their shoes and my feet seem to match perfectly, though their quality control seems to be slipping: my last three pairs have been sizes 9, 9.5, and 10.5.

Too bad the league's in such bad shape that MJ had to make an ill advised return to try to save it from itself and it's slippery commisioner.

The league is in bad shape because the players are becoming indistiguishable in look and behavior from rap stars. I personally am uninterested in paying attention to a bunch of sub-literate thugs, regardless of their athletic gifts, and I expect I'm far from alone in that.

[wheezer]

Michael doesn't "have" to do anything.

Yup, and he didn't have to go and play baseball for a year either. ;o)

He chose to do this. No one twisted his arm.

LOL....sure.

[mountaineer]

My husband, a marathon runner, has had the same experience with Nikes and their lack of quality control. Always wears Pegasus, even though not always the same size!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Michael Jordan doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do. He wanted to try Pro Baseball and he did. (And it just so happened that the White Sox head admin. was the same admin. as the Bulls. So they let him.) You really think he's playing because the NBA commissioner talked him into it? If so, you must not understand Jordan's motivation at all.

[Freemyland]

"When approached by Gantt's campaign for an endorsement, Jordan replied dismissively, "Republicans buy sneakers, too.""

I guess Gantt thought that because Jordan and he share the same skin color, Jordan owed him an endorsement.

[wheezer]

You really think he's playing because the NBA commissioner talked him into it?

Yup.

There is a school of thought that believes MJ hid on the baseball diamond long enough for his gambing problems (and their implications towards the integrity of the NBA) to be safely swept under the rug.

BTW...MJ's the greatest player and competitor I've ever seen on the court.

[beekeeper]

People still read Salon?

[Victoria Delsoul]

I got your latest album. Pretty good.

[r9etb]

People still read Salon?

Only for the pictures.

[StoneColdGOP]

BTW, I got your latest album. Pretty good.

Thanks!

[Texaggie79]

Weezer don't have a sax player!!!!!!!!!