Michael Jordan retired from the NBA at the age of 29, after winning three straight championships, while he was still undoubtedly the best and most popular player in the league. Jordan also retired after his gambling interests were highlighted, sparking some to connect the two, which Colin Cowherd believes is absurd.
While many people question the motives behind Jordan’s baseball bender, Cowherd called those conspiracy theorists “losers” during his Monday edition of The Herd on FS1 and FOX Sports Radio.
“For all you conspiracy people out there, just remember, commissioners are paid by owners,” said Cowherd. “The NBA had never been as popular, all the owners were getting rich, and all the valuations of their franchises were going up because the TV ratings were massive because of Michael Jordan.”
Cowherd laughed at the notion that then commissioner David Stern would suspend Jordan for 18 months, an odd amount of time considering it allowed him to return in the middle of a season. But is it possible the league intended to suspend Jordan for two years and allowed him to return early? Not according to Cowherd.
“There’s two problems with conspiracy theorists,” Cowherd explained. “Number one, they’re losers. And number two is even if you give them facts, they hold onto their conspiracy theory like they did their teddy bear when they were 20.”
Cowherd said none of the owners would have taken issue with Jordan making bets while golfing on his own time because, everybody does it.
Betting on the golf course is a widely accepted practice, but as absurd as it might be to say Jordan was suspended, it’s equally absurd to say his gambling was contained to the golf course. Some conspiracy theorists believe Jordan’s lost wagers even led to the murder of his father in 1993.
Cowherd went on to debunk any connection between Jordan’s gambling and his father’s tragic death, noting he was killed by “two hillbillies who robbed banks.” Considering the killers had limited technology, the idea that it could have been an arranged murder is outrageous, according to Cowherd.
Cowherd also explained that Jordan’s love for baseball was real. Years before he retired, Jordan was already telling people close to him that he planned on playing baseball after winning a third NBA title.
The NBA, team owners and commissioner Stern loved Jordan, but Jordan also loved baseball and was driven by an unmatched desire to compete. Jordan is a winner and according to Cowherd, conspiracy theorists are “losers.”
