The Daily Times from Mamaroneck, New York • 64

rvr "vvt 1 vWi'TO- unt 8D Thursday, October 7, 1993 Gannett Suburban Newspapea i -v 'X. REACTION TO RETIREE1EHT Ths Associated Perns at yaatarday Shaq, the Air Apparent may soon fotlou) Jordan "I think that Michael probe-r My Just wants to be left alone) He is tired of being un-r the microscope and Just Is a little time off to be with his femily. Hes got so sighted im down snd he just Vgot tired. He 'r proba-blyywill come! back 4 in one year. to show ev- eryone hes still the klngv Ive 1 wa talent on been in awe of Gamut News Service ORLANDO, Fla.

At the lame time Michael Jordan waa walking into Chicago Bulla offieea and informing team official! he had decided to retire, a 21-year-okl waa aittingin Orlando Diet ha la re Using from the NBAs "His decision is unfortunate for the game. We have a play er pot in his declining years but really at the height of his game. If you look at the press 'conference, he is a Ain guy with a zest for life and I dont think there is any one thing that made the decision. I think it was a crush of things that ended. his -desire' to amok Psdy.Hefiaooeols, We may never see his like in every small-town backyard and payed dtylot re kids play one-on-one And dream rtf being I think we can all understand this wish to take his leave and devote himself to more private concerns man off the have called it quits.

Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and now Michael Jordan. The reasons have been different, but the result is the same the role of larger-than-life, carry-the-league-on- Cur-shoulders star belongs to Shaq. ke it or not Sure, the NBA still has high-profile veterans, such as Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing. Sure, it has other hot young players, such as Alonzo Mourning. And, yes, now there even is someone with a larger contract the $84 million man, Larry Johnson.

But Shaq is the one who, thanks to shattered backboards on the court and in Reebok commercials, has been dubbed the Air Apparent" (a term that has to drive Reebok executives crazy). Even before Jordan's retirement, the league had his Magic scheduled for 17 national TV appearances including me on Christmas Day against the Bulls. Were still planning to open the season on Nov. 5, joked Stem. And were sure it will be a great season.

Jordan was the focus of the first chapter of O'Neal's book, Shaq At-taq! Jordan's got personality on the court, he writes. He's good for the game. I dont care much for players who stand out there with stone feces, never reacting to anything. I know I wouldnt pay my money to see them Players like Jordan, Julius Erving and Magic Johnson made the NBA what it is today, and I'd like to continue what theyve done. Barkley: Ill pass The Associated Prats PHOENIX The retirement of Michael Jordan leaves the Phoenix Suns with the NBAs top attraction, but Charles Barkley isnt going to get pushed into a fishbowl if he can help it I might become a little bit more visible, and that does concern me, because I dont ever want to be in a situation like Michael, where you Just cant do anything, last seasons MVP said yesterday.

I think that everybodys going to try to put me up there right now, but I think If you ever get caught up in that stuff; you kind of lose focus. I think Michael said it best: 'That ambassador stuff, thats not me and thats not what I ever wanted to I just want to be the best basketball player that I can be. Barkley named Charlottes Alonzo Mourning and Larry Johnson as the leagues next marquee Suns president Jerry Colangelo, chairman of the expansion committee, spoke with NBCs Dick Eber-sole earlier in the day about Barkleys role in marketing the league. Thats going to carry it," Colangelo said. Certainly the Toss of a Michael Jordan is very significant.

But theres strength, tremendous strength in the NBA, so that the young- players, upcoming players that Charles mentioned, among others, will carry forth the tradition. Meanwhile, there's no question about this year's top player, Colangelo said. I do think there will be that much more focus on Charles Barkley, and rightfully so, just based on who he is, the player that he is, and the personality that he is, Colangelo said. JjudiiU footballfCould bo the same when Jim Brown retired in his prime. It goes on.

I can guarantee you peopieln five years people will be saying, Michael whof And thats the way it is. in Kevin Isilss CaUlo. loHels Ig-Tm as shocked I 'can understand was coming from. It wearing on you. Then always eyes on him.

I stand that Along with the death of his fether, which is very sad. That had to wear on Ahirn. Its understandable. Sometimes mentally: you IGolly, is this worth it V-taoreF? Many times you go -through that He just hit the ywall where it got too It doesnV stack me WRg cause very few athletes know the pressure -and frustratiouv with playing at that level think Michael became a victim of his own success. Jerryi? West, general' manager, LdsA Angdes talking about the "I would like to atop at age 25 and juat chill for the rest of my life," Shaquille ONeal told a reporter in an interview Tuesday, published yesterday.

Somebody get NBA commissioner David Stern some air. Shaq was Joking. But one has to wonder If Jordan lost that desire after nine NBA seasons, how long will it be before the thrift is gone for Shaq? Will the task of being The Player get old? Has it already? There are times, ONeal said this week, when he hopes the novelty he created in his sensational rookie season will wear off. "Sometimes I feel like that," he said. For example, youre eating at restaurant, people are bothering you while youre trying to put the macaroni in your mouth.

People dont understand sometimes. This fishbowl life isnt going to change. If anything, people are going to become less understanding and more demanding. In the span of less than two years, three of the sports biggest names World tarS Jordans decision to retire is felt across the globe. The Associated Prase LONDON Romanian television put Michael Jordans retirement in perspective for Europeans.

At the end of its main news program, state TV aired a special presentation on Jordan and concluded, Basketball without Jordan is like ballet without Maya Plisetskaya. Magic Johnson, in Switzerland for an exhibition game, may not have heard of the Russian ballerina, but he doubtless would Adit out If MI for mairlkefoirs Sponsors are scrambling. Media tease or testiness? Loe Angelos Times With his unexpected retirement, Michael Jordan appears to. have tossed a cog the size of a basketball into his magnificent marketing machine. The basketball superstars stable of sponsors including consumer product giants Nike, Gatorade, McDonalds and Hanes all insisted yesterday that they will stick by Jordan whether he's on or off the court Several have multimillion-dollar contracts with Jordan that extend into the next century.

But sports marketers say that even as the basketball legend was announcing his retirement yesterday, the sponsors that pay him nearly $28 million annually in endorsement feta and royalties were scrambling. Each was trying to figure out how to give the same commercial appeal to a retired Jordan as to an active hero of the court And his sudden decision comes just weeks before the beginning of the NBA season, around which many marketers geared their Jordan campaigns. His sponsors have definitely taken it in the gut said Brandon Steiner, president of New York-based Steiner Sports Marketing. This has got to have a lot of executives panicking at Nike and Gatorade. Each one of Jordans sponsors has to take a very, very deep breath and rethink its marketing strategy, said Leonard Armato, president of Los Angeles-based Management Plus Enterprises.

The strategies were all based on the person who was No. 1 in the sport. And now, by his decision to retire, that will no longer be the case. Beyond that, Jordans departure ftom basketball leaves sports marketers with a void that is not likely to be filled by a single person, said David Burns, president of Chicago-based Burns Sports Celebrity Service. Industry executives say that Jordan transcended the sport of basketball and presented companies like Nike and Gatorade with a pitchman who was part sports legend and part likable guy.

And for moving NBA lie was a catalyst for moving Mike Dodd Gannett Nows Sorvlco CHICAGO Was Michael Jordan really bitter at the media for the controversies as a Chicago Bull, or was he just shooting for one-liners? His 40-minute retirement news conference yesterday was laced with several jabs at the media, which has chronicled his gambling exploits and other issues in the last year or so. Asked what his first step in retirement would be, he shot back, Walk away from you guys in a few minutes. That would be a good-step. Another time, he said he would return to Bulls games, visit former teammates and give them advice, "and that would be not to talk to you. Jordan's relationship with the media had been cordial for most of his career.

But it suffered amid allegations of a gambling problem that produced huge debts, and a visit to an Atlantic City casino last spring during the Eastern Conference final against the Knicks. Aftta that, he refttsed to talk to the media for several days. This oflkeason, he was hurt by initial media speculation that the murder of his fether might have been related to his gambling. A day later, police made arrests and said it wasn't. Jordan, clearly tired of the constant attention, said he is not bitter toward the media.

You guys have a job to do and Ive always resptated it," he said. Sometimes you get on my nerves, (but) I dont carry grudges. He bristled once or twice during the news conference, notably when a reporter suggested his announcement was upstaging the White Sox. David Falk, Jordans business agent, said the comments were just play fill banter. I think he was tweaking you guys.

It's a big, big loss, Johnson said of Jordans retirement, but not entirely convinced the Chicago Bulls star had called it a career. He probably will come back in one year to show everyone hes still the king, said Johnson, who last year aban-doned plans to end his AIDS-related NBA retirement From Bucharest to Bqjing and ftom Sydney to Seville, news of Jordans decision drew shocked reaction, confirming that Jordan is the best-known sports figure on the planet Highlights of the NBA stars magical moves have been featured on sports broadcasts the world over. Those who havent seen the highlights have probably seen his commercials, and one doesnt have to walk fer in a major European capital before coming across someone dressed in clothing featuring the Bulls logo. He represents bwskftball He represents the United States. He represents sports, said Dan Peterson, a former coach and the voice of basketball on television in Italy, where the sport is second in popularity only to soccer.

Newspapers in Japan, the Philippines, Spain, France and Australia gave the story extensive and prominent display. Let's think positive and remember the exciting things Jordan brought to basketball, Ding Marcelo wrote today in the Tempo, one of the Philippines most popular daily newspapers. "Let's remember the dunks, the gravity-defying layups, the acrobatics, the ballet-like moves. And then let's thank him for making us feel happy for having been around when the world's greatest basketball star played at his peak AModaMPiMsfltopiMio Basketball will go on without Nm but perhaps never with the same aerial flair. off the shelf Life goes on MICHAEL JORDAN CHRONOLOGY merchandise Despite some controversy over Jordans public affinity for gambling, sports marketers say that he is admired by consumers who are not basketball Cans.

Sponsors all stressed their support of Jordan yesterday. Michael Jordan did not retire ftom Nike today, Nike chief executive Philip Knight said in a statement Our nine-year creative collaboration has. always been more than an endorsement deal. It is a partnership that will continue, and we have already discussed ftiture plans. In brt, Nike now plans to expand Jordans "Air Jordan fine of basketball spokeswoman Elisabeth Dolan Averages 33.6 points.

1M0-1M1 Averages 31 A points. NBA regular-season MVP. Named NBA Finals MVP. Leads Bulls to NBA cham- 1SSS-1SB7 8ets NBA record by scoring 23 consecutive points against Atlanta. NBA Slam Dunk Champion.

Scores 3,041 points, the highest total in NBA history. Only Wilt Chamberlain reached Gannett News Service Add another name to a legendary legion: Michael Jordan. When the King of Hoops announced his break ftom the court yesterday, he tennis great Bjorn Borg, writer J.D. er, Britains King Edward VIII, chet Bobby Fischer and others who opted to turn off the spotlight at the height of its brilliance. Jordan's last move may have left fens dazed, but Brandon Tartikoff understands.

I gained invaluable insights by leaving (TV), says the man who, at 36, led top-rated NBC, briefly dabbled in. film, then left the media jungle entirely. My advice for that i Averages 37.1 points to win first of seven straight NBA scoring HUsa Only player In NBA history to record at Isasl 200 steals (236) and at least 100 blocked shots (125) in the same season. Named AH-NBA first team for first of seven straight sea- A chronological look at Ml-chaal Jordan's career 1SS1-1SSS As a freshman at North Carolina, hits game-winning basket tor Tar Heels in the NCAA championship game against Georgetown. issa-isn APAHiAinorica first team.

Sporting News Collage Player of the Year. Sporting News AH-America first team. 1SSS-1SM AP AH-America first team. AP Coftoge Player of the Year. 8portlng News College Player of the Year.

Sporting News AH-America mVlIWfn. After declaring hfmaetf eligible for the NBA draft following his junior year, la chosen third ovoraH by the Chicago Buds, behind Hakeem Olajuwon and SamBOwia. Member of United States 1001-1002 Averages 30.1 points. NBA regular season MVP. Named NBA Finals MVP lor the second straight year, the first player ever so honored.

Scores playoff record 135 points (45 pg) in leading the Bulls to a three-game aweep of Miami In tha first round. Included is a 56-point performance. Ids' fifth career game of at least 50 points in the playoffs, an NBA re-cord. Leads Buds to NBA championship. Member of United Slates gold medal-winning Olympic basketball' said.

Aftta aft, she said, Jordan will now hare more available time to devote to Nike. The newest "Air Jordan model, which will retail for about $125 a pair, will hit store shelves in November. But some are already questioning the Miff for three months, 1HS7-1SM NBA Slam Dunk Cham pion. basketball shoes outsold Jordans Air Jordan" line last year, Dolan noted. Nike stock dipped 75 cents a share yesterday to dose at $45X5 on the New York Stock Exchange.

Gatorade is entering its third rear in a 10-year, $18-million contract with Jordan. Executives' at Quaker Oats which makes Gatorade, tried to put the best light on the situation. "Michael will continue to serve as a spokesman for Gatorade, said william D. Smithburg, chairman of Quaker, in a statement "His retirement will in no way diminish his value to Gatorade. A McDonalds spokeswoman also said the hamburger giant would stick with Jordan, who is currently appearing in one of its TV spots.

Last year, the Hanes underwear division of Sara Lee signed Jordan. to a multimillion-dollar, 10-year contract "We are a little surprised he decided to retire this early, said Hanes Spokeswoman Nancy Young. But we certainly dont think he'll fede away. Of course, folks' at Reebok mse spokesman, is Orlando Magic center Shaquille ONeal wouldn't I if Jordan did a fest fede. AvaragssSSpointa.

NBA regular-aeasor the "Air Jordan line. Theyll obviously have to phase it out over time, said Katee Yorke, research editor at the newsletter Sporting Goods Intelligence. Nike is left holding the bag." Nike officials insist they werent caught flat-footed. They note that Jordan whose estimated $20-million endorsement contract expires in 1996 wasnt even the focus of the companys 1992 basketball campaign. Rather, they note, It waa the outspoken Phoenix forward, Charles Barkley.

Ike seems to be positioning Barkley Jordans Air" apparent In feet, Berkley's Air Force Max line of Nike chael is dont do anything but dont stay idle for more than nine. Tartikoff now an independent producer predicts Jordans "basketball Jones will kick in after a year. I think hell be back. My being away only made me fell back in love with my first lore, TV. Witness Elvis.

He shunned lire performances for most of the '60s before bouncing back with a 1968 TV concert that jump-started his career. Detouring off the career track used to be taboo, says Goucher College psychologist Betty Franklin. Our national vision was persistence living out a script you wrote at 16. has Lvjr rinuiiL uur nauuiuu vimuu wu -sistence living out a script you wrote at Now ie accept that our whole lifetime i various paths, she says. MVP.

NBA Defensive Player of the Year. NBA AH-Star Game MVP. Leads NBA In steals 3l2 per own. gold medal-winning Olympic Named NBA AH-Oefsnefce basketball team. first team lor first of six straight years.

1MB-1MS Averages 326 points. IMP-IMO Scores earoor-bost 60 points against Cleveland on Leads NBA In sisals 2.77 pergame. Missed 64 gams due to a foot injury. Scoras playoff-record 63 Ypolnts In a llret-roujd gama 'against Boston. 1S6S-1SB3 Averages 326 polnti to tie Wilt Chamberlain's NBA record of seven straight scoring titles.

Scores hie 20600th point, becoming the second fastest to reach that plateau. Poets highest scoring average in NBA Finals history, averaging 410 points against Phoenix as BuHs "threepeat" In six games. Leads BuHsto NBA tWa Named NBA Finals MVP for record third straight season. I ouiu as Bkrl Suns 1. 1 -i nxf i m..