Michael Reinsdorf CEO of Chicago Bulls Just Announced his Retirement
Jordan, Michael, and Scottie Pippen Avoid the Bulls’ Ring of Honor CeremonyThe Chicago Bulls’ intention to celebrate with the two greatest players in the franchise’s history as part of the creation of a Ring of Honor was a stunning failure.
Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan did not attend the ceremony on Thursday. Jordan did apologize for his absence and thank the Reinsdorf family in a video message.
Bulls in Chicago, @chicagobulls
This is the message that Michael Jordan sent before to our Ring of
Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf admitted to not knowing how much work was put into persuading Jordan and Pippen to attend the event to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Reinsdorf remarked, “I honestly don’t know how much effort went into that.” While it is obviously preferable if everyone was present, we were aware that this was not possible. Michael may have recorded something, I think.
The team is hoping Dennis Rodman will be at the United Center for the halftime celebrations of Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors, Cowley added. Rodman was initially anticipated to attend, but he was “an unexpected no-show” on Thursday.
Michael Reinsdorf, president and CEO of the Bulls, made an effort to justify Jordan and Pippen’s absence at the banquet by pointing out that the first class of the Ring of Honor had only recently revealed.
Michael Reinsdorf stated, “We publicized it six weeks ago, so I would be thrilled for everyone to come.” “We’re looking forward to that, as it’s just our way of expressing thank you to the players and the staff, and we understand that people have schedule conflicts.”
Before announcing the celebration, one would assume they would try to work out schedules with the two players who were most important to the team’s six NBA titles.
Of course, it’s also possible that Pippen and/or Jordan still feel negatively about the organization’s members. The history of Jordan and Jerry Reinsdorf’s frequent disagreements is well-documented.
When Pippen was let go from his position as a senior advisor in the Bulls organization in 2020, he didn’t appear overly upset.
There was some star power at the Ring of Honor event. Luc Longley, Ron Harper, Toni Kukoč, Phil Jackson, and Steve Kerr were present.
Among the inaugural honorees into the Ring of Honor were the complete 1995–96 squad, who won an NBA record 72 games during the regular season.
