Former Mob Boss Shares Crazy Michael Jordan Gambling Story
A former mob boss recounted Michael Jordan's surprisingly petty insistence on collecting a $5 gambling debt, even from the head of NBA security.Summary
Former mob boss Michael Franzese shared a story illustrating Michael Jordan’s intense competitiveness and passion for gambling. Franzese described an instance where Jordan insisted on being paid $5 after winning a table tennis game against Horace Balmer, the head of NBA security, even demanding Balmer retrieve the money from his room. Franzese was shocked by Jordan’s pettiness, especially considering his immense wealth. This story aligns with numerous other accounts of Jordan’s gambling habits and his obsession with winning, even in trivial matters. Jordan reportedly gambled on everything, from coin flips to high-stakes games, and viewed winning as a validation of his competitive spirit, referring to the $5 as his “trophy.” He once reportedly won back $600,000 after losing $500,000 in a single night, demonstrating the extent of his gambling.
(Source：Heavy.)