Despite Being the City’s Biggest Star, Michael Jordan’s Ambitions Beyond the Windy City Get Exposed by 62 YO Media Veteran

Chicago has as many iconic sportscasters as it does athletes. Someone who was covering every story in Chi-Town’s sports scene was there at the peak of the Chicago Bulls dynasty. He witnessed Michael Jordan ascend to stardom, and how the city glorified him. However, two decades after ‘Air Jordan’ left the NBA, this controversial radio host feels the Bulls legend aspired for more. According to the radio veteran, Jordan was pigeonholed in Chicago.

This radio host appeared on the Bargument podcast recently where he talked all about Chicago sports. You can’t be on the subject without mentioning Michael Jordan. His hot take though was that MJ’s love for Chicago was disproportionate to what he received.

Radio host claims Michael Jordan needed more from Chicago

Dan McNeil made a career out of putting his polarizing takes on broadcast. He’s far from slowed down as he proved during his appearance on Bargument. McNeil could be considered an insider of the Bulls’ dominating era. That adds some context to what he said about Jordan.

“Jordan never really wanted much to do with Chicago,” McNeil claimed. He’d pin the blame on his publicity handlers for downplaying it, but McNeil saw Jordan’s true ambition. “He wanted to be a global star pretty much right out of the shoot.”

The Bulls selected him third overall in the 1984 draft. But Jordan has said a few times he had no preference for whichever team drafted as long as he made it in the NBA.

By the time he won his first three-peat, the Knicks and Clippers would’ve given anything to have him. Jordan stayed with the Bulls despite his clashes with the management. He’d come out of his first retirement to win another three-peat. However, he didn’t retire in Chicago. As McNeil summarized, “[Jordan] very quickly pushed back at Chicago.”

Jordan retired a second time on a bitter note only to come back in 2001 with the Washington Wizards. After two seasons with them, he finally retired in 2003.

Being in the media, McNeil could see the way the city revered him. He, however, noted that Jordan didn’t reciprocate the love by being more involved in the city outside the basketball court.

The host also understands why. It may have to do with Michael Jordan trying to protect his privacy in a very public life. Something even McNeil didn’t wish for.

MJ didn’t connect with the community per McNeil

Unlike Shaquille O’Neal and Charles Barkley, who chose to turn to sports media after retiring, Michael Jordan didn’t want to be a part of it. Basketball operations was more his jam. His need to stay out of the media spotlight pre-dates social media and his retirement.

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MJ stayed withdrawn from most things outside the NBA court. He often would crave his pre-fame life when he could just go out on the street without getting ambushed by fans. McNeil empathized how “cumbersome” it is to be in Jordan’s shoes. However, he says while most celebrities try to connect with the public, “Michael never wanted anything to do with that. That was sad”

He went on to say, “He’s still so very revered but it’s all for what he’s done on the court. None of it for what he’s meant to the community.”

Dan McNeil’s argument has some validity but fans might say otherwise. Do you agree with his analysis of Michael Jordan’s stardom? Comment and let us know.

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