Michael Jordan’s arrogance — and poor sense of style — got him banned from the posh private La Gorce Country Club in Miami more than his fashion faux pas.
The NBA icon and owner of the Charlotte Bobcats violated a dress code at the swanky country club by wearing cargo pants, according to myriad reports. Golfers are required to wear a collared shirt and Bermuda shorts while playing.
But when a club official approached him on the 12th hole and asked him to change his wardrobe, Jordan refused. Arrogant. Not good and just plain old arrogant. The country club might be stuffy and over the top, but it is the rule and everyone else abides by them . . . except Jordan.
No problem, La Gorce contends. Just do not show up to play there again, Mr. Jordan.
Now here’s a statement from Jordan’s public relations office:
“Michael Jordan did wear cargo pants . . . He had been there many times before and had worn cargo pants previously, and had never been made aware that he was violating any dress code. This time, he was made aware of the violation on the 12th hole, and at that point . . . he did refuse to interrupt his game, and return to the clubhouse and change. We were not aware that he is not allowed to return to La Gorce. I guess it’s their loss – as MJ is a great golfer, and a great guest.”
Four things: Jordan is not a great golfer. He’s a hack, like most golfers in the world. Two, he’s a hack despite playing more than most golfers in the world and on the best courses, meaning he’s probably a little worse than a hack.
Third, he’s obnoxious and arrogant. “It’s their loss?” the statement said. Really? Seems the private club will go on just fine without Jordan spraying balls all over the place and tearing up the turf.
And fourth, Jordan, once a fashionable guy, has fallen off considerably. He dresses like he’s from the back roads of North Carolina. Oh, wait; he is.
None other than GQ magazine tweeted, “Michael Jordan’s style: so bad, it gets him kicked out of places.” In an article, GQ writes that Jordan could be “the worst dressed man in the universe.”
Jordan made $60 million in endorsements last year, according to Forbes. Nike’s Jordan Brand has annual revenues of more than $1 billion, with his brand’s shoes controlling 71 percent of the American basketball shoe market.
Forbes estimated Jordan’s net worth at $500 million in 2010, a number it believes will increase. Jordan owns 80 percent of the Bobcats.
If only all that money could buy Jordan some class and humility.
