Michael Jordan’s late-1980s career combined NBA scoring titles and major individual awards with endorsements spanning footwear, food, drinks and cars. The Chicago Bulls guard also described intrusive public attention, while his return from a broken foot brought a public dispute with team management.
In 1986–87, Jordan scored 3,041 points, averaging 37.1 per game, and recorded more than 200 steals and more than 100 blocked shots. In 1987–88, he led the league with averages of 35 points and 3.2 steals per game and became the first player to win Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season.
Endorsements and reported earnings
Jordan’s endorsements included Nike, Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Chevrolet and Wheaties. At a Wheaties commercial shoot in Chicago, he dribbled past cereal boxes and held one for the camera. He later dunked a box at the crew’s request.
Jordan signed an eight-year Bulls contract in 1988. Reports differed on its value, putting it at $25 million or $26 million. Neither Jordan nor team officials disclosed the financial terms at the signing.
His off-court earnings were separately estimated at roughly $5 million for a single year during this period.
A foot injury and a dispute with management
Jordan missed most of the 1985–86 season after breaking a bone in his left foot. In April 1986, he publicly accused Bulls management of holding him back to improve Chicago’s chances of entering the draft lottery. That was Jordan’s allegation about the team’s motives.
The Bulls reached the playoffs, where Jordan scored 49 points in the opening game against Boston and 63 in the next. Boston won both games and swept the series 3–0.
“I think he’s God disguised as Michael Jordan,” Larry Bird said after the 63-point game.
After the series, Jordan said he believed he had demonstrated that he could make decisions for himself and that management should listen to his assessment of his readiness to play.
Anti-drug appearances and public attention
In August 1988, Jordan spoke at two Chicago hospitals alongside John Lucas, an NBA veteran who had struggled with cocaine addiction and was running an anti-drug program. Jordan discussed self-control and support from family and friends. He said he had never been tempted by drugs or alcohol, including beer.
Jordan also recounted a preseason trip to Peoria during his rookie year. In his account, he entered a hotel room where teammates were drinking and using drugs, including cocaine. He recalled saying, “Enjoy yourselves,” before leaving.
After the hospital visits, children gathered outside a barbershop where Jordan was getting a haircut. The barber closed the doors, and Jordan later left through the back.
Jordan grew up attending church in Wilmington, North Carolina, and continued going during college. He described how the attention he attracted had changed his experience of attending services.
“When I go to church,” Jordan said, “any church I go to, it doesn’t seem like church to me, because everybody stares.” He also described returning to his home church and being asked to speak because he was there.