If a kid wants to go and work and play professional sports and earn a living, he should be allowed to. Never thought it would come to fruition. If I go right now, you still have restraints, politically as well as a lot of other things. Whether on the golf course, fishing, sitting in a locker room, or playing cards, the GOAT usually has a cigar in his mouth. Michael Jordan would still call Tiger the best ever. When we played, the talent pool was much broader, because the kids were in college much longer. And obviously Michael was able to get the benefits from it, which was the relaxation. He said, "Let's do it. I'm at an NBA owners' meeting. I own 4 humidors, that I try to keep stocked at all times. Thats one thing my parents taught me very well. During his hour-long interview with the editor of Cigar Aficionado, Marvin Shanken, Jordan said he "Started smoking a cigar going to the games. 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. No. Her family has a lot of memories about Cuba, so in essence she wants to go, which I think is a motivational factor. Shanken: Do you play with any of these guys?Jordan: I play with them all here. I know he smokes on the golf course; I play with him. It became a ritual for every home game. The basketball legend said, It became such a relaxing thing to do each and every day for a home game, I smoke a cigar. Seeing good talent. So then we arranged to do it at the Bear's Club, which was closed at the time. For someone that small to generate that much power? When available, a box of 25 Partagas Lusitania cigars sells for approximately $500. It could alter them. In 2017, Michael Jordan told Cigar Aficionado magazine that his favourite brand is the Cuban Partags Lusitania, however he likes a variety of cigars. As an athlete, all you ever want to do is be the best athlete that you can. Shanken: Thats all the reporters want.Jordan: Not that I live in a box, where Im afraid to do things. The Hornets are a product of the personnel that I assemble. He doesnt hit it long. Shanken: Heres where Im going. If I'm in a rush, I can go for a Robustonot that it's not going to be rushing, but it's smaller.. Now I can do a lot of those things on my own. Hehir said Jordan told him, I cant have the cigar today because my mom got mad at me because she saw me smoking a cigar. She is probably the only person he listens to when it comes to his daily habit. 3, and No. Shanken: So what role, positive or negative, does an agent play in helping the young man make the best decisions? Shanken: This is a very serious conversation, but what I really want to ask you now, is while youve been talking youve been smoking a pre-Castro Cuban cigar. Shanken: Justin [Thomas]?Jordan: Talented. Shanken: You obviously listened to your father, because in the very beginning you spoke about being humble, not shouting about who you are and what youve done and just being within yourself. Jordan was hooked from that point on until the present. I do all I can to get their competitive nature. All this is wonderful. "Marvin!" Obviously Jack won more during the time he played. GQ: So your first interview with Michael was in 2005. 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 being fairly outdated. Where you dont have the privacy that you would want, and what seems to be very innocent can always be misinterpreted. Where do you see him today in terms of his life?Jordan: Hes in a transitional period. Hows it taste? And he loves his golf, and he loves his cigars. In a 2005 interview with Cigar Aficionado, Jordan said he had smoked the Partagas Serie D No. And it was very well-received by our readers. Its been great. At the end of the day my heart, my soul, my dedication is in the right place. Royal County Downs [in Ireland] I love. Jordan had his first cigar after he and his Chicago Bulls won their first NBA championship in 1991. If you want to play a fivesome, you play a fivesome, if you want to drive close to the green, but not on the green, you can do that. The rest came from a healthily diversified portfolio of endorsements and business holdings. I was more into stock-car racing than I was into anything else. He sat down for an unprecedented one-hour interview with the editor and publisher of the magazine, Marvin Shanken. note: Jack Nicklauss private golf club in Jupiter, Florida], and I was playing at the Bear's Club one day. The thing I remember the most about my fatherand I had him for 32 yearsI never look at it from a negative sense. In 2017, Marvin R. Shanken, editor and publisher of Cigar Aficionado, had a rare, one-on-one interview with Michael Jordan. I wanted that feeling of success, and relaxation. Michael Jordan made less than $100 million as the NBA's greatest player of all time, but that hasn't stopped him from becoming a billionaire with an estimated net worth of $1.6 billion. Tiger evolved it to where it crossed a lot of different boundaries, where it's not just a white guy's sport. Shanken: Well, you can go now. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. To now say that ones greater than the other is being a little bit unfair. I think its unfair. [He points at a second box of cigars on the table. Yeah, OK. Shanken: What kind of wines do you drink at home?Jordan: Im into Burgundies, Pinots right now. On Oct. 14, Cigar Aficionado released a one-hour, uncut interview with Michael Jordan, which was conducted for the publication's 25-year anniversary.. I'm worried about the traffic. Shanken: And then a few weeks ago I saw your name mentioned as an investor in the Miami Marlins with Jeter. Shanken: It seems like every time Im at The Bears Club I see you out there wheeling around in your golf cart with a cigar in your mouth.Jordan: I smoke six cigars a day maybe. I also want to go because Im such a fan of cigars. 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. Shanken: In late 2015, The Harris Poll surveyed Americans to rank the most popular athletes in history. So dont think you can take advantage. I do collect but I dont believe in collecting and not being able to enjoy. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. And you play it at a level to where it generated so much interest financially that it grew the game from a financial standpoint. 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. One of the biggest reasons I bought the team is that initially I thought the team was under-operated because they were not connected to the community. Im sure you didnt buy the Charlotte team to be an also-ran. Call me, we'll set it up.". And if they do smoke, they smoke on the weekend. By simply searching 'Cigar Aficionado Michael Jordan' or 'Michael Jordan Uncut', the full sit-down can be found on YouTube for free. [laughing]. "I smoke six cigars a day," he said. It isnt expensive either, and it went for $13 one time in Cuba. It's an interesting topic for discussion and one that Jordan himself addressed in a discussion about Tiger Woods with Marvin Shanken of Cigar Aficionado and transcribed by For The Win (because, annoyingly, the video is not embeddable). Dont rub success in peoples faces. So I pick it up and I say, "Michael, I can't believe you're calling me!" During the interview Jordan did for The Last Dance, a multi-part TV series on him and his basketball career, he had a Cohiba and a drink next to him. 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. And the best way that I think I can pass on my knowledge to tomorrows players is through ownership. One fascinating fact about this cigar is how it is always available year long. So most of my focus stayed on the college game. Seriously, just type in "Michael Jordan golfing" into your Google search bar and it's hard to find a picture where he isn't puffing away on the course, like a boss: His love for stogies is no secret, something he made clear in a 2005 interview with Cigar Aficionado. Im still going to be a very positive force within the community, with the kids of tomorrow, but Ive got my own kids. Intensity? Michael Jordan swinging a bat in the Bulls locker room while smoking a cigar and dunking on his opponents is the most Michael Jordan thing ever#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/jO1qNOcbCV. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. Very polite, very talented. Shanken: Did you ever want to be a coach?Jordan: No. As the owner of the Charlotte Hornets he is the only former NBA player to also be a majority team owner. This cigar had a bad stint in the early 2000s, specifically in 2001 and 2002. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. But the effort was there and the learning curve and the passion was there. It really told me that this guy loves cigars. . ]Jordan: I was hoping youd forget. 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. In terms of us being able to go, its coming. But, not everyone is a fan of Jordans daily smoking. It is best enjoyed during a long game of golf or while you read a good book. It seems like smoking a cigar before a basketball gamewell, I would not want to play basketball after doing that. "Marvin! Do you have a shot? Can you tell me what youre doing?Jordan: Once I got involved in golf, I always wanted to own my own golf course. Everybody says it was a failed opportunity for me to play baseball. He said he smokes six a day, and he plays 36 holes. Shanken: Let me ask you about a film project. A lot of kids growing up because of their parents may start that way, but not end up that way. ", "That's one thing my parents taught me very well," Jordan said in the build-up to that line, "don't wear your reputation, don't wear your accolades, don't wear your personality on your sleeve. Hes not going to go broke smoking those increasingly costly Cuban cigars. How can you develop your team to become a winner?Jordan: It takes a lot of work, which Im not afraid of. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Michael Jordan talks golf -- and smoking SIX cigars per day -- in Cigar Aficionado interview, something he made clear in a 2005 interview with, Check out his thoughts on Rickie, JT and Spieth in the rest of this awesome interview here. Shanken: I understand you also have a car dealership, Michael Jordan Nissan in Durham, North Carolina. And I got the education in wine from Bill Terlato [CEO of Terlato Wines International], who is a good friend of mine. Jordan: If its perceived properly. Many times. I dont know how I can be a part of it, but I am a part of it from afar and from a support standpoint. If you look at my portfolio, my strongest passion outside of the ownership of the Hornets is the Jordan Brand. 1, Babe Ruth was No. In any case, sixthat's a pretty decent number of cigars for a day. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. Why dont we goJordan: [Holding the Hoyo.] I bought about 287 acres and were building 18 holes, a teaching facility. It became a ritual for every home game." Shanken: Im dying to know, have you had any holes in one?Jordan: Two. And if he didnt do it, theres no telling where my emotions would be. She wants to go for different reasons. All Rights Reserved. Its the most relaxing thing.. Pros and cons. Someone else needs to step into the limelight. Shanken: Other than playing golf with me again, and going to Cuba, whats on your bucket list?Jordan: Winning a championship in Charlotte. These are for the end of the night, and I'm getting ready for the end of the day. Jordan: At Turnberry in Miami. Michael Jordan Videos Exceed Seven Million Views The series of videos shot during the interview between basketball legend Michael Jordan and Marvin R. Shanken has hit a combined total of 7.3 million views on the magazine's August 5, 2022 Channels Cuba Cuba's Small Rafael Gonzalez Brand Gets New Size February 16, 2023 Cigar News Obviously with the embargo its a little difficult.Jordan: Yes. Yeah, Jack has 18 majors and Tiger's got14. Great kid. Jordan generally likes big cigars. Shanken: Who is going to design the course?Jordan: Bobby Weed. And Jordanhas enough zealots in his corner that he doesn't have to campaign for himself. Shanken: You have played at hundreds of different golf courseswhich are your favorites?Jordan: Its hard to say. I have my own wife. On No. . At the same time I was able to understand the love that these minor league baseball players have making $1,500 a month. Jordan: I always wanted to be connected to basketball, because of my love for the game. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Shanken: So its been through an editing process.Jordan: No, it has not gone through a true editing process. It's the most relaxing thing.. Especially when you talk about the kids skipping college and going to the pros. And I know he plays almost every day. Shanken: Now were fast forwarding all these years to today, and you are a very complete businessman, with many different interests. Ive only had two. Because the MJ who graces the pages of Cigar Aficionado is relaxed, expansive, and even jocularfar from the vicious, pathologically competitive figure of The Last Dance, where hes rarely seen without a stogie. Some people may view some of my decisions to be not the right ones. He owned car dealerships and he came to me and he said I have this opportunitywould you have an interest? He was in Chicago. Shanken: Is the documentary finished?Jordan: No. Up to that point, I had never smoked a cigar, never smoked anything, Jordan told Cigar Aficionado. Yeah. Michael Jordan Used to Smoke a Cigar Before Every Home Game And more gems from Marvin Shanken, the editor-in-chief of Cigar Aficionado, on his two-time cover star. Click here to watch videos of Marvin R. Shanken'sinterview with Michael Jordan. And golf with very limited rules. I dont know if I could survive in this Twitter time. Smoking cigars is like falling in love. The Cuban Partags Lusitania cost on average $13 each in Cuba back in 2015. So when you try to equate who's the greatest of all time, it's an unfair parallel, it's an unfair choice For me, I think they're both great. Which would allow him to relax and be ready for the game. Unwavering dedication, day in and day out. So what are the cigars Jordan named as his go-to? He was the same guy. But hes not stopping there. Which is somewhat frustrating. Since the release of ESPN's very popular Last Dance documentary series chronicling the '97-'98 Chicago Bulls Michael Jordan has been a pretty hot topic. He explained that he started smoking a cigar going to the games. Shanken: At my age I probably work too hard. 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. But its enough to keep me coming back. 2, and, on the morning of the interview, a Cohiba Siglo II. "I smoke.. six cigars a day, maybe," Jordan said to Cigar Aficionado publisher Marvin Shanken. It's a secretit's a competitive advantage! If you ask 20 years from now, Im pretty sure LeBron [James] may beat me. He has stated many times that he smokes six cigars a day. Not for this day, but there are many stories about how men meet other men and start talking, having a cigar, and how it affects their life and their friendships and everything else. "For someone that small to generate that much power, it's truly amazing," he said. I'm not gonna play for that." It's understandable though, considering the amount of golf he plays. As for Rory McIlroy, MJ has met him but never played with him, and he shares the same sentiments most average golfers have when watching the Northern Irishman. So I said, "How many do you smoke a day?" Shanken: Well, if you went into a cigar factory all the cigar rollers would stop their work and they would give you a welcome that would give you goose bumps. Check out Cigar Aficionado's newsletters, bringing you our latest ratings & reviews, cigar news and our guide to the good life. Let's put it this way: It's like averaging 45 points a game. GQ may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. We hang out a lot. Ive seen him on the range: Im a big fan. . If you ask me, I can never give you an opinion about things like that. 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. [smiling]Jordan: Great. Jordan loves Cuban cigars more than any other type out there. I love Medinah, because of the historic aspect and being in Chicago. Not with the same magnitude as in Chicago, but from a teaching standpoint. Have you been to a cigar factory anywhere else?Jordan: Never have. On Oct. 14,Cigar Aficionadoreleased a one-hour, uncutinterview with Michael Jordan, which was conducted for the publication's 25-year anniversary. He may even think it's fun! My biggest problem from a competitive standpoint is the focus of todays athlete. Those interviewsas well as the videos that accompanied the second storyare essential Jordan literature. Jordan said it had great benefits. What leadership is about. He doesn't know who he is when he's on the course having a good time. Michael, however, keeps a low profile. 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. Cigar Aficionado began as a lifestyle magazine, including coverage of wine, spirits, travel, gambling, and antiques, in addition to interviews with leading personalities in the cigar industry and feature articles relating to the cigarmaking industry. You realize that this is a very special man. All rights reserved. I wanted that feeling of success and relaxation. That is who he is. Shanken: I dont open these that often. Michael Jordan revealed who introduced him to cigars for the very first time While doing an interview with Cigar Aficionado in 2005, Michael Jordan would go on to reveal that it was Chicago Bulls owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, who actually handed him his first ever cigar to smoke. We athletes, we go through that. There aren't many people out there that are smoking more. But don't wear it and rub it in other people's faces.". 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. The Cornerstone guys, who I partner up with, manage the restaurants. It's also the operation behind Michael Jordan's favorite Cuban cigar. [T]hese are so strong. But, you know, you don't inhale cigar smoke. Naturally, Jordan has become accustomed to the finer things. Shanken: Have you seen a lot of it?Jordan: Yeah, Ive seen it. Shanken: I have another quote here from our last interview: My biggest dream is to visit Cuba and visit some of the cigar factories. Youre going to have one or two teams that are going to be great, and another 28 teams that are going to be garbage.