“You are Banned!”: Phil Jackson’s Agent Reveals Harsh Threats Issued by Chicago Bulls’ Jerry Krause During Contract Negotiations

The Chicago Bulls conducted negotiations with head-coach Phil Jackson and resigned him on a one year deal for the 1997-98 season. It was coming off a second straight championship won by the Bulls under Jackson. Former Chicago Bulls GM Jerry Krause is infamous for his comments against the players and coaching staff. There was heat blowing off between the Bulls’ GM against the players and their coaching staff. Krause wanted to get rid of the star players and build a new team. He had this notion since the 1997-98 season started and everyone knew that the dynasty was ending.

Krause had strong words to say to Jackson’s agent when the two were talking terms for a one-year extension prior to the start of the 1997-98 NBA season.

What Chicago Bulls GM told Phil Jackson’s agent

Todd Musburger, Phil Jackson’s agent was at Krause’s office to discuss the terms of signing an extension with the team for one more year. Speaking to ‘The Athletic’ recently, he recollects two main warnings issued by Krause while singing the deal.

“Musburger, you are banned from the Berto Center,” Musburger recalls Krause saying. “Never come back here again. And second: This is the last contract Phil Jackson will ever sign with the Chicago Bulls.”

Krause had mentioned that Jackson will not be given an extension no matter the outcome of the season. It was fixed in his mind that the head-coach had to leave even if he achieved the double three-peat, which he did. 

Jackson was given a chance to come back for a year, according to the scenes from ‘The Last Dance.‘ However, Phil Jackson’s team firmly denies it.  Even if the owner Jerry Reinsdorf wanted to bring him back, Krause wouldn’t let him. Musburger claimed how Krause never wanted to bring Jackson back irrespective of his success.

Speaking about the warnings issued by Krause, he said, “They meant it. The brilliance of that season is a study in how Phil was able to take that hostility and use it as a very strong motivational tool with his team.”

The Chicago Bulls won the 1998 NBA title following which a major transition happened. The retirement of Michael Jordan left a huge void in the team. Scottie Pippen’s trade happened and he gracefully accepted it. To Krause’s delight, Jackson could do nothing but leave the team as well. The team lost its shine, meanwhile, Krause succeded in his plan.