Michael Jordan did not sign an autograph for a fan while Mike Tyson took the time to sign for quite a few of them.
Michael Jordan is being called out on social media for refusing to sign an autograph for a fan. A clip has gone viral on Instagram, which shows Jordan ignoring a request for an autograph, while Mike Tyson agreed to sign for quite a few of his fans.
I can’t say I am all that surprised by that. If you go up to Jordan to ask for an autograph, you better be prepared to get disappointed, as the chances of him agreeing are next to none. This was hardly the first time we had seen him turn down an autograph request.
As for Tyson, the fans are fortunate they didn’t make this request when the boxing icon was younger. Tyson admitted that at the height of his boxing career, he would punch people who asked him for an autograph in their face. He claimed he was a mess at that point, but things have changed now. Tyson has mellowed a lot, and so I wasn’t surprised he agreed to sign.
Michael Jordan Doesn’t Sign Autographs Because Of His Contract With Upper Deck
Jordan has never been the type to mingle with his fans in any way and prefers to keep them at a distance. He does not come across as a people person either, so you’d assume that to be the reason why he won’t sign autographs. There’s actually more to it, though. Jordan signed a deal with Upper Deck in 1992, and their president, John Masherah, revealed why the Chicago Bulls icon wouldn’t sign autographs in general.
“He’ll take care of sick kids, kids at camps or whatever,” Masherah told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “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.”
It’s all business at the end of the day for Jordan. If you want to get authentic memorabilia, merchandise, or anything that Jordan has autographed, you have to shell out the big bucks to get it from Upper Deck. It’s that ruthless business mind of his, which has helped Jordan become a billionaire.
You may not like it, but Jordan has never particularly cared about being viewed as someone who wants to make a lot of money. His Jordan Brand sneakers cost a fortune as well and there has never really been a thought of making them more affordable. Do you want something that is associated with Jordan? Well, then pay up for it.
With how great Jordan was on the court, having won six titles, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, and 10 scoring titles, you would find people willing to do so as well. While some greats can somewhat be lost to history over time, Jordan’s legend has only grown and it will continue to grow. He is held in higher regard now than when he retired in 2003.
