Shanken: You said you smoke six cigars a day. With a net worth of $1.6 billion, the business tycoon earns most of his money through a longstanding deal with Nike. He even installed a walk-in humidor and special ventilation system in hisHighland Park estate. So, I started smoking a cigar going to the games. What motivated that? All rights reserved. 3. Its not where Im dependent on how the season ends, to determine if I have a draft pick in the first 12 or 13 picks. Jordan's Philosophy in Best Cigar Prices. But go ahead and argue. What sort of things do you guys talk about? I want to go for particular reasons, obviously. Social media, Twitter, all types of things that have invaded the personal time of individuals. When we played, the talent pool was much broader, because the kids were in college much longer. They remain the perfect companion for whiling away on afternoons. The Hornets are a product of the personnel that I assemble. You're into the heat of the moment, and the competition, and who you're playing with, and the conversation. To learn more about Jordans history with the magazine, and his hellacious six-smokes-a-day habit, I called Shanken up at his home in Florida. Let's put it this way: It's like averaging 45 points a game. On Oct. 14,Cigar Aficionadoreleased a one-hour, uncutinterview with Michael Jordan, which was conducted for the publication's 25-year anniversary. Jordan: I could. Upon reflection, what do you think is really the correct waythe right wayfor the NBA to handle this?Jordan: Ive been on both sides. I talk to my father-in-law about that all the time. Usually we text. And the highlight there, which went viral after it was released, was when we talked about cigar smoking. My restaurants allow me to do that. Goodness gracious MJ, that is a lot of smoking. So dont think you can take advantage. Thats what my father and my mother instilled in me. The Cornerstone guys, who I partner up with, manage the restaurants. Shanken: When we did the first interview, you said that starting in 1993, before every home game you would smoke a Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona in your car while driving to Chicago Stadium. Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. It's understandable though, considering the amount of golf he plays. I bought about 287 acres and were building 18 holes, a teaching facility. And then there's also shorter cigars that are fat. Can you tell me what youre doing?Jordan: Once I got involved in golf, I always wanted to own my own golf course. I would never say one is greater than the other. . Jordan: I always wanted to be connected to basketball, because of my love for the game. Educate the kids to be able to make sound decisions, from where they sit. RELATED: Jordan Spieth is rolling with a legendary crew in Cabo. You can argue all you want about who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in basketball. With the Jordan Brand, it is successful because I can impact it. Jordan loves Cuban cigars more than any other type out there. I think its a very rich country in terms of heritage. I was in college for three years. The perception is that athletes don't smoke. Take a negative and turn it into a positive. src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=674090812743125&ev=PageView&noscript=1"/>. And its a bad four. So as more players started to forgo college and go to the NBA, the talent pool eroded as well as the education of basketball. ]Jordan: I was hoping youd forget. And what you will see in that footage is my dedication to the game of basketball. Jordan: It was an opportunity presented to me early on, from a friend of mine in Wilmington, North Carolina. It isnt expensive either, and it went for $13 one time in Cuba. It is a regular production cigar and is as regularly available as it is top-notch. We've had an amazing arrary of covers during our 30-year history. To me, thats more for PR and selling stories and getting hype. - Michael Jordan, Cigar Aficionado PARTAGAS LUSITANIA Branded in 1845 by Don Jaime Partagas, Partagas is one of the oldest and most renowned of all Havana cigar brands. Me personally, like any father I just want to see my kids successful. Somewhere down the road hopefully we can do some cottages if we choose to do that. Shanken: Have you seen a lot of it?Jordan: Yeah, Ive seen it. Hes not going to go broke smoking those increasingly costly Cuban cigars. Shanken: Why do you do so few interviews, hardly any, and why have you agreed to give us a second one?Jordan: Part of the reason I kind of toned back is I want my life to be my life. Hows it taste? The famous chef's cigar of choice is a former Cigar Aficionado Cigar of the Year, can you guess which , Actor Edwin Lee Gibson likes to pair his cigars wtih a single-malt and sometimes a bit of writing. Michael Jordan's disapproving mom put a stop to his cigar smoking in 'The Last Dance' interviews, The Air Jordan 1 and why the NBA didn't want it on the court. Shanken: So its been through an editing process.Jordan: No, it has not gone through a true editing process. Rory.Jordan: Very talented. He , Marvin R. Shankenhas interviewed a host of fascinating people from all walks of life throughout the , Joe Gurrera, the owner of the popular gourmet market chain Citarella, still finds time to smoke a , Legend Michael Jordan Sits Down For A Second Interview With Marvin R. Shanken. Sign in Michael Jordan on His. He has often said that his favorite is the Cuban Partagas Lusitania, a double corona, but hell smoke other cigars and sizes. Plus, having somewhere to go where I can control the environment is intriguing for me. Obviously there is a bit more to it than that. It became a ritual for every home game." There is barely any feeling like lighting up a stogie after a major trophy win, and Jordan is not a stranger to that lifestyle. ", So we're facing each other, and the carts are going opposite directions, and I said, "It's time!" "I'm fascinated with my massive size, and some of these guys being so small, and they can blow it past me, which is somewhat frustrating, but it is what it is.". That helped me put things in perspective. Its just a matter of time. Lets start with a new neighbor. 2, and, on the morning of the interview, a Cohiba Siglo II. You see a lot of players who, when they retire, they have no money. Cigar Aficionado Online, M. Shanken Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. And the cigar just relaxes you. Cigar Aficionado is the Good Life Magazine for Men, featuring up-to-the-second news on every-thing cigars, groundbreaking interviews of the world's most intriguing talents and in-depth reviews . This is a very critiquing period of this world. Its not about housing, its not a pool, its strictly golf. He has stated many times that he smokes six cigars a day. Ive gone through so many good things, theres been very few bad things, but bad things make you better. [He points at a second box of cigars on the table. I watched college basketball and baseball. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Shanken: Is the documentary finished?Jordan: No. I like to experiment on different levels of cigars.. During his hour-long interview with the editor of Cigar Aficionado, Marvin Shanken, Jordan said he "Started smoking a cigar going to the games. Dont rub success in peoples faces. What we have been able to do is understand what works with the consumer, and weve been able to grow that business. Then you had an owner come in who was not from North Carolinaand were good friends, Bob Johnson and Ithatdisconnected itself from the community, angered the community, to where they would not support it. Theyre supposed to be the Augusta National of Ireland. And this is a Hoyo Double CoronaJordan: From 1993? Thats the way hes lived his life. Those interviewsas well as the videos that accompanied the second storyare essential Jordan literature. I grew up emulating his footsteps. In that case, you will enjoy them now but bear in mind that they are no longer as strong-tasting as they once were. The former NBA star is still the only ex-player to be a majority owner of a basketball club. He's passionate about cigars. Very contemporary. College kids cant wait to leave school to go into the pros. Apply Bed Bath and Beyond coupon and save 25% off your entire purchase, Target Circle: up to 50% off with Target promo code, Save 25% on your purchase of Spring Styles with Asos Coupon, Michael Kors promo code: sign up for KORSVIP + Get 10% off on First Order, 2023 Cond Nast. The best support system is their agent. It became a ritual for every home game.. Jack during his time when he played or Tiger during his time. So I have a question. You, 20 years ago, represented values that you had that many athletes today dont even understand, let alone possess. We spend time talking about it. Where are they going to get that education? Shanken: You have played at hundreds of different golf courseswhich are your favorites?Jordan: Its hard to say. But hes not stopping there. Im sure you didnt buy the Charlotte team to be an also-ran. Yes, Jack has 18 majors and Tiger has 14. Starting in 1994, Michael Jordan basically stopped talking to the press. Where do you see him today in terms of his life?Jordan: Hes in a transitional period. Usually a Hoya de Monterrey Double Corona. And this time, I brought a crew and I videotaped the whole thing. And maybe in the fourth quarter, when there's four seconds [left], maybe it was the cigar that helped him get a swish and win the game. this was right before we found out that michael jordan went and got dennis rodman from vegas who was in bed with carmen electra. After all, there's nothing like lighting up a Cuban cigar after winning a championship. You realize that this is a very special man. Michael will laugh if he hears it, but I'm gonna say he never would have made those shots, at home anyway, had it not been for the cigar that relaxed him before the game. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. He won six rings during his time and became the poster boy for the NBA. Michael Jordan: Put it down? Im not giving this up. Here are 10 of our favorites. And typically, if it's long, it's wide. I'm not an adversary. It was very cool. Six!? Initially, when I got out of basketball, I really didnt know what I was going to do in terms of ownership. These kids mismanage their money and they may end up broke. And it was very well-received by our readers. Depends on the time, depends on the day, depends on what I'm doing. At age 19, when youre still a very young man, you give up your education, you give up the college experience and so forth. It wasnt the only Cuban cigar that dipped in reputation around this period. Someone else needs to step into the limelight. I do collect but I dont believe in collecting and not being able to enjoy. He likes big cigars in general. Shanken: Do you play golf almost every day?Jordan: Almost every day. During the interview, he was puffing on a Montecristo No. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cigar aficionado magazine - April 1998. One I hit a seven iron, and one I hit a five wood. It was me and my friend versus Michael and my executive editor at the time, Gordon Mott. Did it seem that Michael had changed at all between interviews? We athletes, we go through that. If I play from the backs I can have fun. The first issue of Cigar Aficionado was printed in 1992, which makes the interview roughly three years old. Real talented. We athletes, we go through that. We won the championship, and Jerry Reinsdorf {owner of the Bulls] gave me one of his cigars. Marvin Shanken: I had indirect access to him through a friend who plays golf with him. Or I have nothing to do tomorrow. Why dont we goJordan: [Holding the Hoyo.] The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. You were voted No. And if they do smoke, they smoke on the weekend. And sometimes I surprise myself because I find Ive got nothing to do today. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. The former NBA star is still the only ex-player to be a majority owner of a basketball club. Suppose you are an oldie who abandoned any of the double corona variations in the 90s. I also grew up a NASCAR fan, a Richard Petty fan. So theres more for me. Especially when you talk about the kids skipping college and going to the pros. It was a business decision, an opportunity for me to play professional basketball. This comes in a back-and-forth with interviewer Marvin Shanken, after Shanken posits that the debate for the greatest golfer of all time between Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus has been decided in the eyes of many. He may even think it's fun! You can smoke a six-and-a-half, seven, seven-and-a-half-inch cigara double coronaand that's like a one-hour cigar. He came over, and we spent three or four hours just sitting around talking and having a cigar. We had to be to the stadium at 6 o'clock for home games, and traffic was so bad it would take us an hour and 15 or an hour and 30 minutes to drive. Michael Jordan venting to Cigar Aficionado is a bad look for the NBA | SPEAK FOR YOURSELF 56,544 views Oct 13, 2017 304 Dislike Share Speak For Yourself 361K subscribers Jason Whitlock talks. He is also a cigar, As odd as it sounds that an athlete as accomplished as Michael Jordan, His private life stays private, and he rarely gives interviews. He was scuffling along in minor-league baseball, and after an inflammatory Sports Illustrated cover story (for which the writer has apologized not once but twice), the worlds most famous athlete decided he simply didnt want to engage. And when he came to me about getting involved I said Ill support you in whatever way. I think hes motivated to build a baseball franchise that can be successful. We found some land. Shanken: I think its a wonderful way to go public and share with people just what you were like.Jordan: If you love something, and your agenda is to win, its a certain price you have to pay. Michael Jordan at the 2006 Ryder Cup Michael Jordan had his first cigar after winning his first NBA championship back in 1991. And obviously Michael was able to get the benefits from it, which was the relaxation. I think about him practically every day. My father was a big baseball fan; he loved Roberto Clemente. She wants to go for different reasons. He owned car dealerships and he came to me and he said I have this opportunitywould you have an interest? Which would allow him to relax and be ready for the game. CigarCigar Info is a community-supported website. Do you have a shot? He retired as a player in 2003, but his star power has not wanedhes the top-ranked athlete in history by The Harris Poll, ahead of such luminaries as Babe Ruth and Muhammad Ali. 2, Muhammad Ali was No. But that showed me the competitiveness that he had. So I pick it up and I say, "Michael, I can't believe you're calling me!" Shanken: Where? He took pro basketball on his broad shoulders in the 1990s, winning six NBA championships between 1991 and 1998 with the Chicago Bulls while executing gravity defying dunks that are the stuff of legend. Jordan: Well, I think thats a little bit hard to determine. His love for stogies is no secret, something he made clear in a 2005 interview with Cigar Aficionado. Grinder. And that grew the game from a financial standpoint. I dont like rules. The Hoyo de Monterrey Double Corona is a Cuban delight. Big ones. Ive had enough. What about Washington? When I see him, he'll come over, or we'll see each other, and there's a genuine kindness in his face and a warmth in his hello. To a fellow cigar smoker, that is real bonding. Ad Choices, And more gems from Marvin Shanken, the editor-in-chief of, The Real-Life Diet of Andrew Huberman, Who Switches to Red Party Lights After Dark, The 17 Best New Menswear Items to Buy This Week, Watch Deion Sanders's Interview Live at the GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame, Watch Allen Iverson's Interview Live at the GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame, Watch Derek Jeter's Interview Live at the GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame, Michael B. Jordan Hits the Press Junket in Percival's Best-Selling Polo Shirt. Who did you want to be?Jordan: I wasnt really into professional sports, because where I grew up [in Wilmington, North Carolina] you only had two television stations, NBC and ABC, and we couldnt even get NBA games. He sat down for an unprecedented one-hour interview with the editor and publisher of the magazine, Marvin Shanken. Now, the former Chicago Bulls star watches the game from the Charlotte Hornets owner's office. He said again that the Partagas Lusitania was his favorite. As the conversation began, Jordan was smoking a cigar. Among a handful of evergreen bites, though, was Jordan's take on the nature of the GOAT debate across sports. In a 2017 interview with Cigar Aficionado magazine, Jordan confirmed a camera crew had followed the 1997-98 Chicago Bulls around the entire season "to capture the last dance." He also seemed. Whether on the golf course, fishing, sitting in a locker room, or playing cards, the GOAT usually has a cigar in his mouth. I met him when he was 12 years old. There aren't many people out there that are smoking more. He is also a cigar aficionado on the side. I flew out one day, and we played golf. Its dots being connected. Ive only had two. [Opens a box of H. Upmann Tivolis from the 1950s and the men begin smoking the cigars.] Yeah. I know he smokes on the golf course; I play with him. One of the biggest issues we do have is we are not a Chicago, we are not an L.A., we are not a big market to where teams or players look to go. You know, for another interview. First of all youre never going to say who is the greatest of all time. He recently joined with longtime friend and former Yankee great Derek Jeter, along with other investors, in a deal to acquire the Miami Marlins, and he will soon break ground on his own private golf club in Florida. to me. I can go in, I can get a good meal, I can bring friends, I can talk, I can drink, I can do whatever I choose to do. Shanken: I heard it was a two.Jordan: No, its a four. The legendary middle linebacker shares his go-to smoke. Yeah, Jack has 18 majors and Tiger's got14. Shanken: And I assume you have no trouble getting a table.Jordan: No. On No. I think its unfair. But because an agent is not that motivated, theyre not teaching the kids. Regardless, it set the internet ablaze to the tune of 1.2 million views (and counting) in just 12 days, despite some of its contents . That is who he is. Shanken: Im dying to know, have you had any holes in one?Jordan: Two. Jordan: At Turnberry in Miami. Director Jason Hehirexplained that in one episode, a cigar rests on the table next to MJ, untouched. And I think if you can regulate thatwhich is very toughto where that athletes going to be educated so that he can make sound decisions for himself and his family, thats the correct agenda. Shanken: I dont want to end the interview without having this cigar. It is who I am. Cigar aficionado Jordan is not shy or modest about the number of cigars he smokes a day. Listen, I know it because I go through the same thing: When you play golf and you smoke a cigar, you don't even know you're smoking a cigar. The series revealed how his mother has to step in once in a while to caution his cigar use. Pebble Beach because of the scenery, but I hate the long rounds. I won six championships, Bill Russell won 11. So when youre trying to equate who is the greatest of all time, its an unfair parallel, its an unfair choice. Coaching is not something I ever thought I could do from an emotional standpoint, because I have a different perception than the kids of today. It must be a little bit of a shock to Jordan's system, considering the cigar aficionado has up to six a day, according to a Sports Illustrated report from 2017. I left school at the age of 20, 21, in my junior season. . Copyright 2023 Holt's Cigar Company. The Monte No.