NEWSWEEK's cover-story features Michael Jordan under
the header, "The Michael Jordan We Never Knew." Samuels &
Leland report that Jordan "plans to launch a music label
later this year" with the brother of Nike Marketing Dir Fred
Whitfield, and "he's talking about" making another film.
Nike Dir of the Jordan Brand Erin Patton said that Jordan
"will probably become more active" in social causes
(NEWSWEEK, 1/18 issue). Jeff Ballinger, head of Press For A
Change, a workers' rights group, said Jordan should fulfill
his intention to visit Nike-contracted factories in Asia:
"With the NBA lockout, he kind of got off the hook because
his own career was up in the air. He's got plenty of time
now" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 1/18). In N.Y., Ira Berkow suggests
Jordan become more socially active: "If [Jordan] isn't
playing basketball, he should have enough time to read up on
issues. And there are a few people in the world who might
have the influence Jordan does" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/17).
MJ IN 2000: In Baltimore, Andy Knobel wrote that a
Draft Michael Jordan for President Web site, paid for by
"MJ2000," would be "among the best pieces of parody going on
the Internet. Except it's serious" (Baltimore SUN, 1/17).
JORDAN TEAMS ON A'S SALE? In Chicago, Fred Mitchell
wrote that the "latest Michael Jordan rumor has him joining
forces" with ESPN/NBC MLB analyst Joe Morgan in possibly
"purchasing" the A's and Warriors (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/18).
...In N.Y., Adam Buckman wrote that the 60-second Nike ad
which pays tribute to Jordan was "completed months ago as
rumors persisted" that he would retire. Buckman called the
spot a "work of commercial art" (N.Y. POST, 1/18)....REUTERS
reported that news of Jordan's retirement "was splashed
across the front page of China's top newspapers and sparked
a scramble" for Jordan merchandise (REUTERS, 1/15)....The
N.Y. TIMES reported that sales of Jordan merchandise at
Michael Jordan's Steakhouse in N.Y. "tripled," to about
$4,000 a day from $1,400, after the announcement (N.Y.
TIMES, 1/17)....In N.Y., Michiko Kakutani reviews David
Halberstam's "Playing For Keeps: Michael Jordan and the
World He Made." Kakutani: "Much of the volume is a
compendium of compelling but familiar stories fleshed out
with new reporting -- the volume is animated by the
author's own passion for the game" (N.Y. TIMES, 1/19).
