In accepting his fourth NBA MVP award yesterday, Michael
Jordan said he regretted the timing of a story in Monday's
CHICAGO TRIBUNE outlining his contract demands. Jordan was quoted
as saying he would not play for anything less than $36M over two
years. But yesterday, he said time "to talk about my contract
and to consider my contract would be a selfish act" during the
playoffs. Jordan also said some quotes "were taken a little bit
out of context" (Melissa Isaacson, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/21). SUN-
TIMES columnist Jay Mariotti calls $18M a year "pittance,"
writing that after winning his fourth MVP, Jordan "has to
understand more than ever his massive worth in a sporting kingdom
that is his again. ... Too many others have made a million off
the Michael Jordan phantasm, and now he is long overdue for a
dramatic reimbursement" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 5/21). Terry Armour
notes the ways in which the Bulls can use the "soft cap" to sign
Jordan (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 5/21). Bob Verdi notes the Bulls could
revisit local TV rights deals to help keep Jordan. For 30 games
on WGN this year, the Bulls averaged an 18.1 rating and a 28
share. The Bulls have received a 12 rating on SportsChannel
Chicago, compared to a 5 during his "retirement" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 5/21).
