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Michael Jordan revealed a special clause attached to his NBA contracts
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- Michael Jordan revealed a special clause attached to his NBA contracts
Though some may differ on Michael Jordan holding the G.O.A.T. status, nobody can ever doubt his passion for the game. The Hall of Famer possessed an insatiable appetite when it came to winning. Adding to it was his unreal work ethic, which served as a nightmare for his teammates.
Interestingly, the first sport Jordan ever picked up was baseball at age six. It wasn't until he turned twelve that he gave basketball a shot as well. However, Michael instantly fell in love with the game of hoops. He made it his life's mission to attain greatness on the hardwood.
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Nothing could deter MJ from achieving this mission, not even being cut from his high school varsity team. Such was his passion for the game that he included a never-before-heard clause called "For The Love of The Game," which covered his basketball activities beyond the NBA.
Jordan, who is now also a special contributor for NBC, explained the special clause in his contract.
"If I was driving with you down the street and I see a basketball game on the side of the road, I can go play in that basketball game, and if I get hurt, my contract is still guaranteed," said MJ, who was positive about such clauses having no chance in the modern era.
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Jordan just wanted to hoop
Michael could never resist the thought of playing basketball, and playing in the NBA was not enough to satisfy his hunger. The Chicago Bulls legend could never miss a chance to hoop, even if it was the most random pickup game. Thus, he needed coverage beyond the NBA.
"I love the game so much that I would never let anyone take away the opportunity from me to play the game.. As supposed to know, you don't have it. Players probably don't play. Now, they get individual attention with their trainers… Go out and shoot a 100 shots. I found it to my benefit was 'Go play basketball, man.' That's what you did, that's what you grew up doing," emphasized Jordan, highlighting how Larry Bird took an entire summer to work on his left hand.
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The "For The Love of The Game" clause allowed Jordan to participate in scrimmages and exhibition games, among others. The five-time MVP took this opening to challenge himself and often indulged in highly competitive pickup games. It also helped maintain his fitness levels.
His obsession with winning once had him fume over losing a charity game. Michael looked to compete every time he stepped on the court, no matter the stakes.
Hated to lose
It's no secret that Jordan took losing personally. The six-time champion was known for his excessive competitiveness. He never took his foot off the gas, no matter the numerous accolades and championships. One such case was getting mad after losing in a charity game .
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Coming off his second three-peat, one assumed MJ would take it easy, especially since it was a fundraising game, but that was never the case. Additionally, Olympic gold medalist Charles Austin participated in the contest, sharing a detailed account of the event.
"I chose not to play with Jordan. I was originally supposed to play on his team, but I chose never to play with him. I always wanted to play on the opposite team. He (Jordan) was pissed; he didn't expect to lose," recalled Austin.
Whether it was his love for the game or his obsession with winning, MJ was indeed one of a kind. The six-time champion changed the landscape of basketball, both on and off the court. One could argue against his sometimes authoritarian ways, but he did deliver the results.
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This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Dec 3, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
