No go for Jordan, Walton

Plans to bring Michael Jordan and Bill Walton to Manila were aborted recently when both National Basketball Association (NBA) icons said they couldn’t make the trip because of personal reasons.

A source close to Jordan said the former University of North Carolina star is in the middle of tedious divorce proceedings. Early this year, Jordan’s wife Juanita sought a split when newspaper tabloids unearthed another illicit love affair involving her celebrated husband. But the couple reconciled and vowed to save the marriage for the sake of their three children. Apparently, it didn’t work out.

Another crimp was Jordan’s continuing search for a new team in the National Basketball Association (NBA) after he was unceremoniously fired as President by Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin a few months ago. He attempted to buy into the Milwaukee Bucks franchise but was thwarted. Jordan has a pending offer to manage the expansion Charlotte Bobcats franchise which will begin play in the 2004-05 NBA season but is keeping his options open.

Radio network owner Francis Lumen said he was tapped by Philippine Long Distance Tel. Co. chairman Manuel Pangilinan to initiate talks with Jordan through Jorge Pino of the William Morris Agency before the dismissal from the Wizards.

"We formalized an offer," Lumen told The Star yesterday. "Jordan wanted to find out what he was expected to do. We offered an appearance fee of $250,000 for a three-day, fund-raising visit. We explained Mr. Pangilinan’s vision to fund a foundation for children of retired PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) players. We thought of Jordan conducting a clinic for kids at the Araneta Coliseum and playing in a golf tournament where players in his flight would make a contribution of P5,000 to P10,000 per hole to the foundation–the idea was to bring in three new players for every flight. We also planned to use the SMS mechanism to generate additional revenue for the foundation."

Jordan’s feedback was initially encouraging. But with the divorce case now smoldering, Jordan eventually opted to decline.

"We were informed that the Philippines would be given first option when Jordan becomes available to make a trip to Asia," said Lumen.

In 1996, Jordan flew to Japan with several NBA stars on the Nike Hoop Heroes tour and performed in a two-hour basketball-oriented show for two nights in Yokohama. His companions were Jason Kidd, Charles Barkley, Michael Finley and Damon Stoudamire.

As for Walton, he was invited by a leading shoe and sports apparel company to conduct a two-day basketball camp for kids 18-and-under with three PBA coaches and speak at a dinner here on Aug. 28-30.

Walton, whose wife Lori Matsuoka is part-Filipina, said he could only visit in late September or early October because of previous commitments.

"I love the Philippines," said Walton who was here in 1979 on an environmental mission to preserve the monkey-eating Philippine eagle, an endangered specie. "It (the 1979 visit) was one of the highlights of my life. I am always interested in fun stuff like this. My wife and I would love to come. The Philippines is one of our favorite places. But the timing is not good for us."

Walton referred the shoe and sports apparel company to another Hall of Famer Rick Barry.

"I have spoken to Rick directly about this and he is excited and interested in this opportunity," said Walton. "Rick is an outstanding teacher, clinician and presenter. He is one of the 50 greatest players in the history of the NBA and an NBA Finals MVP. Rick remains extremely active in the NBA, has a nationally recognized and acclaimed syndicated talk show, does lots of TV for all kinds of different networks and outlets, has two sons–Brett at Seattle and Jon at Detroit–starring in the NBA."

But when Barry was contacted, he wouldn’t agree to an appearance fee of $5,000.

"I am sorry because I very much enjoy working with young players," said Barry who was here in 1984 with Phil Jackson, Earl Monroe, Connie Hawkins, and the late Pistol Pete Maravich, among others, to play games against the Philippine national team. "Unfortunately, I never heard the word million in my contract negotiations when I was playing so I still need to work for a living. To be perfectly honest, the $15,000 fee I asked for is a low amount for doing what it is you are asking of me. I certainly can’t speak for Bill or any other top 50 NBA player but I believe you will find it difficult to find any player willing to accept that offer you have made."

Barry based his asking price of $15,000 on the income he will forego in skipping his radio show to visit Manila.