:focal(1286x253:1288x251)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2026/01/06/image-840b4ce7-91cf-4d9c-9f76-f282f6d4f4b5-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Michael Jordan’s Second Retirement: A Basketball Legend’s Final Exit")
It came as quite a surprise. On 13 January 1999 Basketball superstar Michael Jordan announced the end of his career for the second time in the Bahamas. “I’m here to announce my retirement from basketball. I’m mentally exhausted and I don’t feel like I have any new challenges,” said the then 35-year-old at a press conference.
The timing of the resignation would probably have been different if there hadn’t been a months-long players’ strike that meant the NBA season didn’t start until February 5, 1999. Jordan originally wanted to at least play the playing time for the Chicago Bulls, but the postponements made him change his mind. Even the team owner of the Chicago Bulls couldn’t change his mind.
“I’m 99 percent certain I won’t be returning,” said Jordan, deliberately leaving one percent open, as he openly admitted at the press conference.
In fact, an NBA comeback followed from 2001 to 2003 with the Washington Wizards, with whom the then almost 40-year-old was no longer able to build on his success with the Bulls.
