Chicago Bulls Slyly Weaponized $25,000,000 Check to Put an End to Michael Jordan’s Exclusive ‘Love For the Game’ Clause in 1988

Unknown Date; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bulls guard (23) Michael Jordan in action against the Miami Heat at the Miami Arena. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports (c) Copyright 1998 USA TODAY Sports

In 1984, Michael Jordan was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. Upon joining the NBA, His Airness signed a seven-year deal with the Bulls worth $6,300,000. A fair deal at the time of signing, but one that also included an interesting clause. The clause in question is the “Love for the game” clause, as revealed in the book There Is No Next: NBA Legends on the Legacy of Michael Jordan. One that allowed him to lie to the Bulls and play pick-up games, something the organization grew wary of. Ultimately, the team rectified this clause in 1988 when they handed him a $25,000,000 deal.

Michael Jordan made quite the name for himself outside the court even after suffering an injury in 1986. In particular, he became notorious for his pick-up games. Specifically, the ones he held at the University of North Carolina where he went to rehabilitate his broken leg. Something he was only able to do thanks to the clause in his contract.

Chicago Bulls used $25,000,000 contract to remove the ridiculous “Love for the game” clause in Michael Jordan’s rookie deal

During the 1985-1986 season, the Chicago Bulls suffered a huge blow. Michael Jordan suffered a massive injury, breaking his leg in just the third game of the regular season. He would go on to miss a whole 64 games that year, but unbeknownst to the Bulls, Jordan managed to squeeze in some game time.

Months into his rehabilitation at UNC, Jordan started to feel better. As a result, he had a meeting with the team doctors and the management regarding playing time. However, not just the doctors, and management, but even his own agent David Falk advised against it. But, that did not stop His Airness.

As revealed in Sam Smith’s book, Jordan made use of a clause he had put into his rookie deal. The “Love for the game” clause. One that allowed him to play anytime and anywhere he wanted. It was a risky clause, both for Michael and the Bulls. And, while things did workout at the end of the day, the franchise, wary of future consequences promptly removed the clause in 1988 when they handed him a $25,000,000 deal.

“He’d decided to play pickup games against doctors’ orders. It was a dark period for Jordan as he could not even bear to be around watching others play. And he did still have that so-called “Love of the Game” clause in that first contract, seven years for $6.3 million. He could play anywhere and anytime he wanted despite standard NBA contracts that limited players from outside games. The clause would be removed in his 1988 eight-year, $25 million extension that was the biggest sports contract at the time.”

Jordan would return from injury the following season and dominate once again. Thankfully, the injury didn’t have too much effect on his career, seeing as he went on to win six NBA Championships and establish himself as the GOAT.

The Bulls handed Michael Jordan a contract that made him one of the highest-paid players in the NBA

In 1988, the Chicago Bulls gave Michael Jordan a $25,00,000 deal that lasted eight years. And, while they did use it to get rid of the “Love for the game” clause, it gave MJ a significant boost in his salary.

Jordan averaged close to $3,125,000 on that deal and was only outdone by the likes of Patrick Ewing and David Robinson. Both of whom were averaging $3,250,000 and $3,750,000 respectively. All in all, it was a great deal for all those involved.