The Biggest Conspiracy Theories About The NBA

In October 1993, shortly after winning his third NBA title in a row with the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan abruptly retired. "The desire is just not there any more," Jordan said (via the Los Angeles Times). What's even more shocking: He was quitting basketball in favor of baseball. According to ESPN, Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Bulls and baseball's Chicago White Sox, signed Jordan, who never got any higher than the team's minor league affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. Near the end of the 1994-95 season, Jordan ultimately returned to basketball (via The Sporting News) and eventually won three more championships with the Bulls.

Early retirement, baseball, coming out of retirement, and returning to world-class play: It all just didn't make sense for some conspiracy theorists. The real reason Jordan disappeared from basketball for a year-and-a-half: He was secretly suspended by the league over gambling issues, and retirement and baseball were a cover story to protect its highly marketable golden goose.

In 1992 (per Bleacher Report), Jordan admitted in court that he'd racked up huge gamblings debts to convicted drug dealer James Bouler. Months later, Richard Equinas wrote in his gambling addiction memoir that he'd won nearly $1 million in betting on golf games with Jordan. The NBA investigated Jordan's gambling activities for rule violations in summer 1993 ... just before he retired.

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