NBA legend Michael Jordan is arguably one of the best players to grace the court. Fans don’t need an introduction to Jordan’s competitive fire. However, his competitive nature sometimes caused him headaches. The six-time NBA champion is renowned for betting and gambling with friends and teammates. While most bets were playful, sometimes he lost huge sums of money. MJ’s wife at the time, Juanita Vanoy was not very pleased about the habit. Even though most people were aware of MJ’s gambling, things took a serious turn in 1993.

A guy named Richard Esquinas made a serious allegation that the superstar owed him over $1 million. Esquinas claimed he and Jordan went on a gambling spree while playing golf and the Bulls legend owed him money. He even authored and released a book called ‘Michael & Me’ in 1993 which talked about his experience playing golf with Jordan.

Michael Jordan changed his ways for then wife

Richard Esquinas’ claims the book made a lot of noise in the NBA world. He allegedly had a meeting with some representatives of the NBA as well. However, Michael Jordan reportedly did not break any rules. So he did not face any punishment. Despite this, MJ decided to change his ways. However, it was not because of the book or the league; it was because of his ex-wife Juanita Vanoy.

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The Chicago Bulls legend talked about the whole ordeal during an interview with Connie Chung in 1993. Talking about his wife’s concerns, Jordan stated, “She’s concerned that, ‘Hey don’t make this a habit here.'”

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The five-time MVP then added he assured his wife that he can stop gambling if gambling is something that bothers her and if it was something that could drive them apart. He noted that he stopped betting more than $50 because of Juanita’s concerns.

Then the host asked whether Jordan has a gambling problem which prompted one of his iconic statements He replied, “No because I can stop gambling. I have a competition problem! A competitive problem!”

During the interview, MJ also said that he doesn’t want anything hidden from Juanita. However, he admitted that he sometimes keeps things “away from her” because according to Jordan, Juanita would be shocked when she learns about the amount of money the Bulls legend has lost.

Jordan and Juanita’s divorce

Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy started dating in 1988, and they tied the knot in 1989. The former couple has three children together. They filed for a divorce in 2002 but reconciled shortly thereafter.

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They filed for divorce again in 2006, and this time, it was finalized. Jordan then married model Yvette Prieto in 2013 and they have two children together.