Since 1957, GQ has inspired men to look sharper and live smarter with its unparalleled coverage of style, culture, and beyond. When I was in the NBA early on, would I have said Id be a restaurant owner? 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. Jordan told Shanken he plays "almost every day," and "always 36 holes.". Hes not going to go broke smoking those increasingly costly Cuban cigars. First of all youre never going to say who is the greatest of all time. It could alter them. I love baseball. 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. And this time, I brought a crew and I videotaped the whole thing. Michael Jordan Smoking Cigars In an interview with Cigar Aficionado in 2017, Jordan admits to smoking quite a lot. I looked at it from a selfish standpoint. I never played against Wilt Chamberlain, I never played against Jerry West. 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ablaze to the tune of 1.2 million views (and counting) in just 12 days, despite some of its contents being fairly outdated. ", "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. On Oct. 14,Cigar Aficionadoreleased a one-hour, uncutinterview with Michael Jordan, which was conducted for the publication's 25-year anniversary. Shanken: You talk about teaching. To me, thats more for PR and selling stories and getting hype. And if he didnt do it, theres no telling where my emotions would be. We found some land. Or I have nothing to do tomorrow. He is a phenomenon. 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. All Rights Reserved. I like a big cigar, but I can smoke a smaller cigar, too, Jordan explained. To now say that ones greater than the other is being a little bit unfair. A lot of these kids believe in leadership from a physical sense. And I got the education in wine from Bill Terlato [CEO of Terlato Wines International], who is a good friend of mine. What led to the second one happening 12 years later? At the end of the day, my time in the spotlight is dwindling. Shanken: Now were fast forwarding all these years to today, and you are a very complete businessman, with many different interests. It seems like smoking a cigar before a basketball gamewell, I would not want to play basketball after doing that. Shanken: And 36 holes?Jordan: Always 36 holes. However, basketball is not the only thing Jordan loves. Especially when you talk about the kids skipping college and going to the pros. The Cuban Partags Lusitania cost on average $13 each in Cuba back in 2015. Actually, I started going there in 1991 to do a cover story for The Wine Spectator on Cuban cigars. He sat down for an unprecedented one-hour interview with the editor and publisher of the magazine, Marvin Shanken. How did that come together? He has stated many times that he smokes, Differences Between Straight, Punch and V-Cuts, What Cigars Does Arnold Schwarzenegger Smoke. On No. The news that sells today is negative news. The Uncut Interview With Michael Jordan Cigar Aficionado 107K subscribers Subscribe 63K 3.4M views 2 years ago Watch the complete, uncut video of Marvin R. Shanken's interview with NBA legend. Deloris, Jordan's mother, has proven to be instrumental to the growth of Jordan as a person and player, as most mothers are. #BoriHablamosTv #autoestima #amorpropioFor support our channel:https://www.patreon.com/BoriHablamosTVFollow Me: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/borihabla. Not with the same magnitude as in Chicago, but from a teaching standpoint. Somewhere down the road hopefully we can do some cottages if we choose to do that. Shanken: You have played at hundreds of different golf courseswhich are your favorites?Jordan: Its hard to say. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 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. Yeah. So it was a rich experience. Michael Jordan is no stranger to tobacco. And then there's also shorter cigars that are fat. Michael Jordan is a cigar aficionado, no doubt about it, and if you want to smoke like the king, then there should be some Cubans in your humidor. What about these other cities? The interview took place in his living room, where he has a wine cellar, a cigar room, and you're surrounded by six MVPs. "He's in a transitional period. Its a safe haven for me, and yet at the same time its a great business. Because at the end of the day, that product is always going to represent my DNA. As opposed to a Piper Cub or something like that. The best support system is their agent. Shanken: I heard it was a two.Jordan: No, its a four. The guys a billionaire and keeps getting paid for endorsements, reportedly to the tune of more than $100 million a year. 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. To be successful you have to have something thats not successful. Michael Jordan on His Favorite Smokes & Visiting Cuba - YouTube 0:00 / 2:56 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. His Jordan Brand from Nike brings in more than $3 billion in annual sales worldwide, he owns a chain of steak houses and a car dealership, and he endorses a wide range of famous brands, from Gatorade sports drinks to Hanes undergarments and Upper Deck sports memorabilia. But hes not stopping there. On ESPN's Jalen and Jacoby "The Last Dance" aftershow, docuseries director Jason Hehir revealed why Jordan had just one cigar during the interview process. It is a double corona that has to be enjoyed over time. And if they do smoke, they smoke on the weekend. And he knew what I was talking about. He explained one was for the riffraff; the good stuff was for the real cigar smokers. No athlete in history has ever captivated audiences like Michael Jordan. The star players are not rushing to small markets, so I put more emphasis on draft than I used to, because youre not going to be able to get the LeBrons of the world to come to Charlotte. Jordan has even admitted that since his retirement, he's smoked as many as six cigars in a day! A lot of times you have the agents making decisions based upon what they want, and sometimes its not in the best interests of the players. Sylvester Stallone at the best online prices at eBay! Seeing good talent. I'm bored to death, I want to come over and have a cigar with you." Put that in context for me, as not really a cigar smoker. The cigar and drink disappeared after that. Shanken: What about your biggest disappointment?Jordan: Once again, thats the same analogy. 2 cigars. Part of this gift is to bring back memories. He owned car dealerships and he came to me and he said I have this opportunitywould you have an interest? If I play from the backs I can have fun. In 1993. When he plays golf, and he plays 36 holes a few days a week, he is smoking cigars. In an interview with Cigar Aficionado in 2017, Jordan admits to smoking quite a lot. All rights reserved. Shanken: What does it mean?Jordan: I dont think it changes anything. If you ask me, I can never give you an opinion about things like that. Shanken: Well, you can go now. "Marvin! But its enough to keep me coming back. He doesnt hit it long. Theyre supposed to be the Augusta National of Ireland. 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. I think thats one of the major issues. If I'm in a rush, I can go for a Robustonot that it's not going to be rushing, but it's smaller.. Its not about housing, its not a pool, its strictly golf. 3. At one point we were thinking about doing a wine together, but I never got to a point where I could devote the time. Its gone through a lot. Theyre going to get an honest understanding for what winning is about. So we chiseled it down to an amount that he agreed, but was more than I wanted to gamble. Jordan: If its perceived properly. He has stated many times that he smokes six cigars a day. In that case, you will enjoy them now but bear in mind that they are no longer as strong-tasting as they once were. Jordan's Philosophy in Best Cigar Prices. These are for the end of the night, and I'm getting ready for the end of the day. Note: Jordan owns more than 90 percent of the team. Those interviewsas well as the videos that accompanied the second storyare essential Jordan literature. I know he smokes on the golf course; I play with him. I felt honored to have the opportunity. I don't want to speak for him, but I think Michael enjoys the camaraderie that we have. Jordan is an intensely private man who gives few interviews. 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. You were voted No. The Partagas Lusitania is not some rare brand of cigar. I think its going to hurt the overall aspect of the league from a competitive standpoint. I own 4 humidors, that I try to keep stocked at all times. With anet worth of $1.6 billion, the business tycoon earns most of his money through a longstanding deal with Nike. Shanken: What kind of wines do you drink at home?Jordan: Im into Burgundies, Pinots right now. He won six rings during his time and became the poster boy for the NBA. At home, are you a drinker or are you a collector?Jordan: Im a drinker. 2's are the undisputed top of the heap when it comes to Cuban torpedo cigars. And the cigar just relaxes you. Legendary NBA playerMichael Jordanis undisputedly one of the greatest athletes ever. So as more players started to forgo college and go to the NBA, the talent pool eroded as well as the education of basketball. In an interview with Cigar Aficionado, Jordan spoke about his close friendship with Woods and how social media has changed how athletes . Shanken: Well dont worry, they will continue rolling cigars after the welcome. I like to experiment on different levels of cigars.. Is it about getting the best deal he can? Shanken: Five, 10 years ago people were always asking who is greater, who is going to be the greatest, Tiger or Jack? Shanken: You are recognized in the business pressI hate to even use the word, I apologize for using the wordas a billionaire.Jordan: Me? You can argue all you want about who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in basketball. If I hadn't had anything to eat, I wouldn't touch this. Its just a matter of time. 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. To win you have to lose. . Unwavering dedication, day in and day out. According to Business Insider, Jordan earned $93.8 million in NBA salary, with $63.3 million of that coming in his final two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. Depends on the time, depends on the day, depends on what I'm doing. . Certainly not before a game. Great kid. When we played, the talent pool was much broader, because the kids were in college much longer. The rest came from a healthily diversified portfolio of endorsements and business holdings. Very polite, very talented. My wife is Cuban. Shanken: And whats your handicap these days?Jordan: Four. 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. It was as simple as that. He wants to play for more money than you can afford to lose. And its a bad four. Many times. - 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. 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. So I have a question. The former NBA star is still the only ex-player to be a majority owner of a basketball club. My mother calls me practically every day, reiterating keep your nose clean. Thats her constant reminder that people are watching, people are learning, people are paying attention. Did it seem that Michael had changed at all between interviews? Me personally, like any father I just want to see my kids successful. He said, "Let's do it. Let's put it this way: It's like averaging 45 points a game. Ive seen him on the range: Im a big fan. One of those luxuries is cigars, and he only smokes the best. . 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. In 2017, Michael Jordan told Cigar Aficionado magazine that his favourite brand is the Cuban Partags Lusitania, however he likes a variety of cigars. Were going to try to make sure the intent is perceived the right way. I talk to my father-in-law about that all the time. We feel your pain MJ. "Michael!" These kids mismanage their money and they may end up broke. When I play golf and smoke a cigar, I play much better. And then there is Cigar Aficionado. His personal fortune has been estimated at more than $1 billion. It is the equivalent of $20 per smoke. Does anything stick out to you from that first interview? Jordan has appeared on two of the magazine's covers, in 2005 and 2017, each time sitting for a lengthy interview (and a number of cigars) with editor-in-chief and publisher Marvin Shanken. 3, and No. Shanken: Who is going to design the course?Jordan: Bobby Weed. And golf with very limited rules. Tiger played at his peak somewhere towards the end of my career. Is that the power of sharing a cigar with somebody? Im 54 years old. Makes sense when you think about it, really. Shanken: In all sports.Jordan: In all sports. My first couple of years I was the general manager, and the next couple of years I went down and I played, because I still felt I could impact the game from a players standpoint. That is who he is. You, 20 years ago, represented values that you had that many athletes today dont even understand, let alone possess. 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. 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. If I had to pick a golf course that I could play every single day and have a chance of shooting a decent number in the best conditions, I would say Diamond Creek would be one. Partagas is one of the oldest, most well-regarded brands of Cuban cigars, according to Top Cubans. The complete 58-minute interview has never been seenuntil now. 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. Yes, Jack has 18 majors and Tiger has 14. Now I can do a lot of those things on my own. As it is no news that Michael Jordan is a basketball all-time great, it also isnt news that he is one of the wealthiest athletes of the game. We spend time talking about it. The first issue of Cigar Aficionado was printed in 1992, which makes the interview roughly three years old. If you do not want us and our partners to use cookies and personal data for these additional purposes, click 'Reject all'. You want to win the big prize. There was an inconsistency in their quality. Well, you can smoke a five-inch cigar: That's 20 minutes, more or less. Among a handful of evergreen bites, though, was Jordan's take on the nature of the GOAT debate across sports. Usually we text. I'm at an NBA owners' meeting. Shanken: Where? For someone that small to generate that much power? He said again that the Partagas Lusitania was his favorite. We hang out a lot. W The legendary basketball player Michael Jordan sit down for a full hour interview to talk about basketball, his business life, his love of cigars, and more. You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. 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. During these 36-hole affairs, Jordan is sometimes accompanied by PGA Tour pros he's become close with, like Keegan Bradley, Rickie Fowler and even Jordan Spieth. 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. Does that mean hes any less than Jack? Other than that people can call on me and ask me for money maybe. Once that was presented to me, and I understood the dynamics of that business, we were able to grow thatutilizing my persona in a whole different way. Im sure you didnt buy the Charlotte team to be an also-ran. Let it happen, let it be you, it is who you are, don'thidefrom it. Also the audiences who watch basketball are decliningI think it peaked when you were playing. 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. [Opens a box of H. Upmann Tivolis from the 1950s and the men begin smoking the cigars.] Jordan has appeared on two of the magazines covers, in 2005 and 2017, each time sitting for a lengthy interview (and a number of cigars) with editor-in-chief and publisher Marvin Shanken. Jordan was hooked from that point on until the present. I love Medinah, because of the historic aspect and being in Chicago. I'm worried about the traffic. I won six championships. Ive had enough. 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. There have, of course, been exceptions to the rule: a deep-access ESPN profile for his 50th birthday a few years back, along with his interviews for The Last Dance, the 10-part documentary that concludes this weekend. A lot of people, it does hit them in a certain way. Naturally, Jordan has become accustomed to the finer things. Tiger evolved it to where it crossed a lot of different boundaries, where it's not just a white guy's sport. Big Smoke Meets WhiskyFest: Tickets Available, The series of videos shot during the interview between basketball legend Michael Jordan and Marvin R. Shankenhas hit a combined total of 7.3 million views on the magazines . In Chicago, I tell people this, and they have to understand the context of what happened, Jordan explained. In the same Cigar Aficionado interview, Jordan revealed that his favorite cigar isPartagas Lusitania. I was more into stock-car racing than I was into anything else. Michael Jordan captivated audiences like no other person could do in the basketball games history as far back as anyone can remember. 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. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Jordan: Have you ever been to Cuba? I want to go for particular reasons, obviously. With the Jordan Brand, it is successful because I can impact it.