Michael Jordan is undoubtedly among the greatest athletes to ever play the game. His competitive spirit did, however, occasionally give him headaches. The six-time NBA champion is infamous for placing bets and engaging in gambling with friends and teammates. While most of his bets were jocular, occasionally he lost substantial sums of money.
Richard Esquinas made the grave claim that the famous person owed him more than $1 million. Jordan allegedly owed Esquinas money after the two of them went on a gambling binge while playing golf, according to Esquinas. He even authored a book ‘Michael and Me’, which conveyed his pleasurable experience with Michael Jordan playing golf.
MJ also stated during the interview that he isn’t keen on anything to be kept a secret from Juanita. However, he acknowledged that he occasionally kept things “away from her” since, in Jordan’s opinion, Juanita would be startled to learn how much money the legendary Bulls player has lost.
“‘I can’t believe you lost that much’ she’s concerned that ‘hey, don’t make this a habit here’, you know which I really mean I can stop if you mean it bothers you if it’s something that’s going to have us separated”, Jordan spoke about Juanita’s worries.
Juanita Vanoy, MJ’s wife at that time, wasn’t happy with his conduct. Although most people were cognizant of MJ’s gambling, things really started to spiral out of control in 1993. Jordan assured her that he would give up gambling, and for a time, he did.
He was, however, caught gambling once more in 1995, this time in Las Vegas. This was reportedly one of the reasons that led Vanoy to file for divorce. Jordan pleaded with her to change her mind and even made the commitment to permanently stop gambling.
Jordan and Vanoy were reunited when Vanoy agreed to give Jordan another shot. However, Jordan’s gambling issue persisted, and the couple separated in 2006.
Michael Jordan started gambling at a very young age
Early in his life, Michael Jordan developed a gambling addiction. He used to gamble on games with other guys and even his prom date in high school. He continued to gamble while in college, frequently placing minor bets on pool games and other activities.
Jordan made a bet against his prom girlfriend when he was still a high school student in Wilmington, North Carolina. Jordan had several experiences early in his life, including a $5 pool bet win while attending the University of California. According to reports, the dollar bill found its way to the auction.
Jordan’s gambling increased once he started playing in the NBA. He started making bets on sports, golf matches, and even poker games. He frequently placed huge wagers, and occasionally he took substantial losses.
Early in the 1990s, Jordan’s problem with gambling grew apparent. In addition to owing money to some sketchy people, he was also betting in Atlantic City on the morning of a playoff game.
Jordan had his first departure from the NBA in 1993. He claimed that one of the causes of his retirement was betting, adding that he had to “get his life in order.”
When Jordan rejoined the NBA in 1995, he reduced the amount of gambling he was doing. He never acknowledged having a gambling issue, but he did claim to have mastered the art of self-control.
