Jordan's virtual retirement
In an age of officially licensed sports video games whose virtual players mirror reality with signature moves, characteristic quirks and accurate stats, picture the following scene from any basketball game on the market: John Stockton shoots and misses, rebound by Rodman. Rodman lobs a long pass to Pippen. Pippen dribbles to the top of the key, then passes to... Roster Player 23.
Roster Player 23? Now wait a minute: Pippen, Rodman, Longley - but no Michael? The sight of a bald Bulls shooting guard bearing the nomenclature Roster Player 23 instead of Jordan 23 is a dose of cold, hard reality in what's supposed to be a fun fantasy world. What a disappointment for all the kids who want to "be like Mike," and for the teens who spend yearly allowances on the man's shoes.
A survey of basketball titles reveals that Michael Jordan does not appear in one single game. But Grant Hill does. So does Shaquille O'Neal. Kobe Bryant has his own game. So why no Mike?
The NBA, which handles all licensing of the players' likenesses for everything from video games to trading cards, gives players the chance to back out of certain parts of the licensing deals. "Jordan has elected not to participate in the 'electronic games' category," a league spokesperson confirms.
In the past, Charles Barkely and O'Neal have done the same, though both allowed their names to be associated with this year's games. It's been reported that Jordan's asking price is $20 million per title. But the people at Falk Associates Management Inc., who arrange MJ's guest appearances and likeness licensing, aren't talking. Repeated attempts to reach both Jordan, agent David Falk and numerous assistants went unanswered.
But Kathy Frazier, senior publicist at Electronic Arts Sports, the company that makes the Airless "NBA Live," says that at least "the playing field is level, since no other game includes Jordan." Frazier adds that Electronic Arts does not plan to secure the rights to use Jordan's likeness in any future basketball game. As the giraffe said to the bartender, at prices like these its no wonder.
(Dave Chamberlain)
copyright 1998 New City Communications, Inc.