Growing up in Chicago during the ’90s meant idolizing Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. Besides being the GOAT on the basketball court, he revolutionized the marketing side of the NBA, ushering in a new era of merchandising and brand synergy that we still see to this day. It didn’t hurt that he was a well-liked icon, despite the dark side he kept hidden from the public (save for a birthday story my good friend C. Rich likes to share). When Jordan announced his first retirement in 1993, I was devastated, especially when he expressed interest in joining the Chicago White Sox, the mortal enemies to my Chicago Cubs. We all know how the story ends…
However, the truth behind his return to the NBA was hidden from the world until 1996, when the biographical film, Space Jam, was released. Featuring Jordan and the Looney Tunes, the cartoon/live-action-hybrid detailed what really pushed Jordan to don a Bulls jersey again. The legendary game re-enacted in the film featuring Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes’ Tune Squad vs. the Monstars displayed Jordan’s tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds.
It’s no surprise that the vaunted “Space Jam” game has become the subject of a 30 for 30, ESPN’s critically-acclaimed documentary series that analyzes and discusses various sports phenomena. Watch below as current and former NBA coaches, players, and analysts discuss the historic game.
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