On January 13, 1999, basketball legend Michael Jordan shocked the world by announcing his second retirement from the NBA. The announcement came just before the start of the lockout-shortened 1998-99 NBA season and was made in front of a crowd of media members at Chicago’s United Center.
Jordan, who had already retired once before in 1993 to pursue a baseball career, returned to the NBA in 1995 and led the Chicago Bulls to three more NBA championships. However, by 1999, Jordan felt that he had lost the drive and desire necessary to continue playing at such a high level. He also expressed a desire to spend more time with his family.
During the press conference, Jordan stated that he was “99.9 percent” sure he would not come back to play again (oh well…). His decision was influenced by several factors, including the departure of his longtime coach Phil Jackson and ongoing tension with the team’s management.
Jordan’s second retirement marked the end of an era for the Chicago Bulls and left fans around the world in disbelief.
