Michael Jordan Explains Unique 'Love of the Game' Clause in His Bulls Contract

Michael Jordan discussed an unusual "Love of the Game" clause that he had in his contract with the Chicago Bulls.

"If I was driving with you down the street and I see a basketball game on the side of the road, I can go play in that basketball game and if I get hurt my contract is still guaranteed," Jordan told Mike Tirico on the latest edition of MJ: Insights to Excellence. "I love the game so much that I would never let someone take the opportunity for me to play the game away from me."

Jordan's iconic competitiveness was on full display during his tenure with the Bulls, winning six championships from 1991-98.

He also weighed in on the clause impacting his offseason activities compared to current NBA players.

"As opposed to now, where you don't have it," Jordan told Tirico. "Players probably don't play. Now, they get individual attention with their trainer. You go out and shoot 100 shots or 1,000 shots. I found that it was to my benefit, was go play basketball, man. That's what you did. That's what you grew up doing."

"Larry Bird took a whole summer to work on his left hand," he added. "He did it by playing basketball."

While players still compete in 5-on-5 scrimmages during the offseason, the intensity of the activities have likely decreased compared to Jordan's era due to the injury risks. Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren missed his entire rookie year due to a foot injury that he suffered while competing in an offseason pro-am event.

Still, it's hard to argue with the results that Jordan produced during the implementation of the clause.

He averaged 31.5 points per game during his Bulls tenure, winning five MVP awards to go along with his six titles.