For most people, NBA players appear as larger-than-life figures. After all, they are regarded as some of the world's most elite athletes. Their immense frame and presence make them recognisable almost anywhere.
However, a few players in history have reached the highest levels of celebrity status, with Michael Jordan being the most notable.
Jordan broke the limits of what an athlete can achieve and become, from reaching legendary status in basketball to becoming a business mastermind. But if it wasn't for his unwavering confidence, backed by his contagious persona, character and charisma, he wouldn't be where he is today. Thanks to that, he cemented himself forever as an icon who leaves anyone starstruck.
Yet despite the aura surrounding him, Jordan wasn't always untouchable. One particular autograph session from his past shows that even the biggest superstar in the world can find himself in an unexpected situation.
When he was at the start of his superstardom, Jordan held an autograph session in Houston . What was supposed to be a lifetime memory for fans eager to see him and receive his signature became a traumatic experience for everyone involved.
"There were four or five security guards, five thousand people had me circled, and I was only supposed to be signing for one hour. We got to ten minutes before I had to leave, and people were wanting more autographs, so they started closing in on me. The tables were breaking, and little kids were getting pressed up front because the bigger people were pushing from behind," Jordan said for Playboy Magazine in 1992.
"The security guards couldn't do anything. I finally got the security guards around me and started pushing my way through the crowd. I almost got killed getting out of there. I haven't done any autograph sessions since. Never again."
After that, Jordan made it clear he wasn't up for any fan events that involved signing autographs. As for numerous things in life, everything has a price. But for him, that wasn't the case here.
"I heard about a Canadian company that wanted to pay you a ridiculous amount of money to fly up for one day," an interviewer asked Jordan.
"Yeah, they wanted me to sign autographs for a quarter of a million dollars. The autograph stuff drives me crazy. People are dangerous," Jordan answered.
Earlier last year, Jordan walked down the beautiful South Beach in Miami before crossing paths with a lifelong fan who wanted him to sign his basketball. Ultimately, he turned him down, but the fan was persistent, saying his basketball was a personalized ball from Magic Johnson, implying he couldn't sell it.
Despite the fan's persistence, Jordan wasn't interested in signing, leaving him short of his memorabilia.
In 1992, Jordan signed a deal with Upper Deck that restricted him from giving autographs, limiting his memorabilia.
"He'll take care of sick kids, kids at camps, or whatever. But other than Upper Deck, he doesn't really sign autographs. From a branding standpoint, Michael and his team realized there's something to be said for making them high-end and super limited," said Upper Deck's president, John Maserah.
Since his experience in Houston and a contract with Upper Deck, Jordan is keen on not giving anyone an autograph, no matter who you are. Whether people believe that stance is right or wrong is open to debate, but it ultimately doesn't matter — nothing has changed MJ's approach.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Mar 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
