The card, a 1986-87 Fleer, is one of only two of its kind to receive a perfect "10 Pristine" rating from Beckett Grading Services and is now owned by Georgia investor Sean Storms. (Yeah, right. Like we're supposed to believe that name isn't made up.) Storms is now desperate to find the second card so that he can pair them together like a set of red kings—and then never let anyone look at them again.

"It won't see the light of day for at least 10 years, maybe 15," he said. "I'm very excited to have the card."

Wow, that's ... fun? My baseball card collection is also excitedly collecting dust, yet somehow my 16 Tim Pyznarski "Future Stars" cards are still completely worthless.

Perfect Michael Jordan Rookie Card sells for $200,000 [The Beckett Blog]

And he'll petition the rest of the league to do likewise:

"He can't get the logo, and if he can't, something has to be done. I feel like no NBA player should wear 23. I'm starting a petition, and I've got to get everyone in the NBA to sign it. Now, if I'm not going to wear No. 23, then nobody else should be able to wear it."

[...]

"If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan," James said. "You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame."

LeBron says he'll wear No. 6 in homage to Dr. J, the day of his first child's birth, the month of his second child's birth, his own Olympics jersey and the total number of people in America who do not yet own any LeBron James-related merchandise.

LeBron James planning to give up No. 23 out of respect for Michael Jordan, urges others to do same [Cleveland Plain Dealer]
LeBron James Plans to Change Number, Asks Others To Do Same For Michael Jordan [The Baseline]

Chad Hampton won the South Carolina boys Class A cross-country championship, wearing stock Air Jordans, the type you'd buy off the shelves — to play basketball. While not high tops, I can't overemphasize how uncomfortable that has to be. With solid ankle support, and weighing at least twice as much as normal track and field shoes, Hampton should have a minute shaved off his time for sheer badassery.

Oh, and his shoes were untied.

But maybe running's not your thing. Maybe you're a club whore who can't live without your 4-inch heels, but can't bear the thought of wearing shoes without a Jumpman logo. Well you're in luck, because we we found the perfect footwear for the woman who's a lady on the court but a freak in the sheets.

While the heels are Chinese knockoffs, there's an untapped market here. Imagine: AIr Jordan penny loafers, Air Jordan combat boots, AIr Jordan ballet slippers. If only MJ was the sort of person who'd put his name on just anything to make a quick buck.

Well, since he bounced about $1 million worth of checks in Las Vegas you can chalk a healthy portion of that up to gambling losses. But that doesn't explain it all way. Walker was a generous friend and teammate. A little too generous. A Boston Globe investigation into the former Celtic's lavish lifstyle includes free spending, not just on himself—in 2002, he had a new suit made for every day of the playoffs so he wouldn't have to wear the same one twice—but on those in his very large orbit. Teammates say he routinely picked up giant dinner tabs on the road or would hire limos to take everyone out on the town. According to his mother, at one point Walker was financially supporting seventy of his friends and relatives.

However, Diane Walker doesn't see what's wrong with that:

Walker's mother, Diane, said her son does not have a gambling problem. She added that "he doesn't party any more than the next person'' and "what you do with your life is your business.''

"Antoine doesn't owe anybody any explanation,'' said Diane Walker. "He's not out here hurting anybody. He's trying to live his life peacefully. That's all he's doing . . . My son is young. Why can't he just enjoy life, go where he wants to go?''

Because, believe it or not, $110 million does not last a entire lifetime. (At least not when you're spending $10 million a year on watches.) Apparently, Walker gave very little thought to where that money might come from once his basketball career was over. When he did invest, he invested poorly or simply gave it away to charities. Sadly, playing $15,000-a-hand blackjack with Michael Jordan is not a sound retirement strategy.

In 1999, when he signed a six-year, $71 million deal with the Celtics, then-president and coach Rick Pitino said Walker "will never have to worry about money again in his life." So add that to the list of everything else Pitino got wrong in Boston.

Former Celtics star Antoine Walker pursued by creditors as wealth vanishes [Boston Globe]

The Orlando Sentinel's Iliana Limon reports:

UCF promised Marcus Jordan, son of NBA legend Michael Jordan, that he could wear his father's Nike Air Jordan brand for the Knights' basketball team this season.

The problem? UCF has an exclusive $3 million, six-year contract with adidas that requires all coaches and athletes to use the company's shoes, apparel and game equipment.

And now UCF and adidas are at an impasse, leaving an 18-year-old freshman with a famous father caught in the middle.

"When I was being recruited, we talked about it," Marcus Jordan said. "They said they had talked to the adidas people, and it wasn't going to be a problem. I think everybody understands how big of a deal it is for my family."

The deal has strained the relationship between UCF and one of its most important business partners, complicating current contract-renewal negotiations. The university's agreement with the company expires in 2010.

So, on the one hand, you have the contractual obligations owed to a needlessly hard-assed, Nazi-founded global apparel company; on the other, the personal autonomy of a kid who is fighting for his right to hand over his autonomy to a different global apparel company, per the wishes of his world-famous sneaker-pimp daddy. The only honorable thing to do here, it would seem, is for Jordan the Younger to follow Dad's example and wrap his feet in the American flag.

Shoes of Michael Jordan's son may risk UCF adidas deal [Orlando Sentinel]

Robert Allenby of Australia told reporters that his friends spotted Kim returning to the team hotel "sideways" at four in the morning on Sunday, just hours before his 9:00 a.m. tee time—against Robert Allenby. Of course, Kim went out and crushed Allenby 5 and 3 to help cinch the Cup, which just left his opponent even more perturbed.

"I'm just pissed off that I lost to him," Allenby said. "Maybe I should have gone out with him ... Maybe we should all take the theory of Anthony Kim. Get home at 4 o'clock (in the morning) and then go shoot 6 under."

Allenby went on to say that Kim is "the loosest cannon in that team," which is a bit like saying that Donny was the craziest Osmond brother. But according to GolfWeek, team captain Fred Couples allegedly asked Kim to leave a team dinner earlier in the week, because Kim needed to make himself "more presentable." (Kim says he was "sweating" and did not feel well.) Couples wrote it off as a 24-year-old kid who doesn't want to hang out with a bunch of old farts (probably true!), but he also took some sage advice from noted Mormon scholar Michael Jordan.

We picked on him a little bit and then I decided with Michael (Jordan, an assistant captain). Michael said, ‘Just let him go, and he'll come back to you.'

Hey, Michael Jordan partied with Dennis Rodman. (And also with Michael Jordan.) The man knows his loose cannons.

Allenby rips Kim as U.S.'s ‘loosest cannon' [Golf Week]

See, the Presidents Cup is being held in Harding Park, which is a public park. And there's no smoking in public parks in San Francisco. The city was sure to let the PGA know:

You mean about Spare the Air Jordan?" said Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg.

"I've already sent off an e-mail to the PGA Tour director," Ginsburg said. "It was sort of a gentle nudge reminding them that smoking is illegal and that we would appreciate their support."

Apparently the message has gotten through to Jordan.

PGATOUR.COM: What's the over and under on cigars per round this week?

MJ: Well, that depends because I heard this is a public place so they limit what you can smoke. I'm not even supposed to be smoking but this was a practice round and no one said anything. So I've been very cognizant of that to some degree. But I would say, if they allow me to, I would say a three-cigar round. I would try to keep it at a minimum of three.

Luckily for Jordan, San Francisco doesn't have a ban on being a selfish, egotistical jackass.

Michael Jordan Caught Smoking [SF Chronicle]
Q&A: Jordan on golf and The Presidents Cup [PGATOUR.com]

Michael Jordan has issued a press release to the girl he went to his high school prom with. It reads in part: "Shelia, you probably thought I was a little awkward and too tall to properly slow dance with, which is probably why you snuck off to the parking lot to make out with that guy Derek. That's why I'm sending you this picture to let you know ... you made a mistake, sweetheart. Has Derek ever lead a crotch-grabbing, three-person conga line in a Miami night club?

Yeah, I didn't think so."

[Photo submitted by reader Jeremy]

* * * * *

Is it Friday, yet? See you in the club.

Seeing Michael Jordan cry like he does in this clip is sort of like seeing your father cry. I mean, I've only seen my father cry only once, barely shedding a single tear in the process, and I'm sure I've seen MJ weep previously after winning a championship or something, but goodness gracious this was sort of striking. Apart from the weeping, Jordan pays tribute to David Thompson as a personal hero of his and shares a great anecdote involving former Jazz guard Byron Russell. And you kind of have to feel for David Robinson, John Stockton, Jerry Sloan and Vivian Stringer...talk about being overshadowed.

Also, who's Michael's lovely lady-friend?

Let's not forget it was Krause who selected Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant in the '87 draft, when Jordan wanted Joe Wolf (career stats here, in case you need a laugh). So you'd expect Krause to be high on the guest list for Saturday's ceremonies. That's not the case.

I don't have a great desire to be there," Krause said.

He'll tell you it's nothing to do with Jordan, that he's protesting the HOF as long as longtime assistant coach Tex Winter isn't in. But it's not hard to read more into his words, especially when he says how he'd drop his protest in a second for Jerry Sloan.

If Michael called, no," Krause said. "If Jerry called me, that would be a tough one. But the answer is no...We were not close, and we're not close today.

We've learned in the last decade that MJ might not have been the most likable person, but to go so far as to estrange the man to whom you owe part of your legend (and vice versa, of course) is saying something.

Sorting Fact From Friction [Boston Globe]

•Sean Haire, who for some reason went by "Sean O'Haire" while wrestling in WCW, was booked for allegedly hitting and choking his girlfriend. Because he's dating a non-Tila Tequila woman, this is not OK.

•Tim Lincecum misses a start with muscle spasms. The Giants had better hope it's not serious, or they run the risk of getting walloped by the Cardinals in three games instead of four.

•With a court ruling still pending, the NFL says the Vikings' Williamses can play in week one regardless. Keep in mind they tested positive for a banned substance more than nine months ago. And the league claims to have the toughest steroid policy in sports?

•We're reaching serious WTF territory here. Ben Roethlisberger's accuser says she'll drop the lawsuit if Big Ben admits he raped her. I'm no legal expert, but copping to a crime can't help his chances in any future criminal proceedings. Also, she's nuts and has no case.

•Michael Jordan picks David Thompson to introduce him at the Hall of Fame ceremony. Between Jordan, fellow inductee David Robinson, and presenters Isiah Thomas and Larry Brown, apparently it's ruin-the-Knicks'-shit day in Springfield.

•Well, it finally happened. Brad Lidge got yanked after loading the bases in the ninth, perhaps ending his tenure as closer in Philadelphia. Would it be hyping up Albert Pujols legend too much to blame his 2005 home run for Lidge's collapse? Well I'm doing it anyway.

•Nashville Predators part-owner William "Boots" Del Biaggio was sentenced to eight years in prison for bilking investors out of hundreds of millions. The lesson, as always, is don't accept a check from someone nicknamed "Boots."

•Emeritus is trying something a little radical over at New York Magazine. Will Leitch...writing a blog...about sports. Hmmm. Sounds crazy, but what do I know?

•Finally, Ron Artest reaches out to Stephon Marbury, through the magic of Celine:

So how are we holding up? Erin Andrews'd out? Big Ben'd out? Mutton'd out? I know; just hang in there and we'll all get through this temporary blitzkrieg of bottom-dwelling/hand-wringing together. This will pass. It always does.

Anyway, how about your WFC Philadelphia Philies? Let's hear it for J.A. Halladay and Pedro Lopez.

Lightning Barry Petchesky will join you this evening in case you get lonely and want to know what the hell else has been going on.

Thanks for your continued support of Deadspin. Exhale.

Sheesh. Anyway, this massive rubber dong made it onto NBC's live coverage of the American Century Championship classic, the one where Tony Romo's taking out all his post-Jessica frustration on the Lake Tahoe course.

****

Tomorrow: Barry Petchesky will spend his Sunday talking about other things. Hopefully.

Thanks for your continued support of Deadspin. Go enjoy your Saturday night.

Oh, and here's Chad Johnson's measured response (h/t Rookies):

That's all for us. Watch the procession of flamboyant seersucker suits known as the NBA Draft tonight and please stick around for KOGOD's live blog. Things will get going in a half-hour or so.

Thanks for your continued support of Deadspin. Onward.

Three years ago, a small company called SportsFuzion saw an opportunity. They convinced the Basketball of Hall of Fame to sell them "exclusive worldwide rights to the Hall of Fame's trade names, logos, trademarks, designs, and photos for use in sportswear." At the time, those rights didn't seem that valuable, because who buys a hat that says "Hall of Fame" on it? But SportsFuzion, was thinking ahead because they knew that in three years Michael Jordan would be in the Hall of Fame, and people will buy anything even remotely associated with Michael Jordan.

So, they took their idea—and their licensing rights—to Nike and made their pitch. And Nike passed. Michael Jordan and the Hall of Fame isn't really going to work for Brand Jordan. Thanks, but no thanks.

Then two months later, the Hall of Fame suddenly decides they don't want to be in business with SportsFuzion. They want to renegotiate their contract. Oh, and look at that ... Nike is now selling their own Jordan Hall of Fame gear! Yes, in a shocking turn of events, one of the richest companies in the world had gone behind the back of a smaller, weaker competitor and cut them out of their biggest deal ever. That almost never happens.

Does SportsFuzion have a case? Does it matter? Because this is not a inspiring sports movie, I'm going to say it doesn't. The money they could have made in a fair deal would have been lost in Nike's couch cushions, but you don't become the most powerful sports company on Earth by sharing. So yeah, sorry, SportsFuzion. That's what you get for thinking too much.

Full press release on the lawsuit below:

NIKE and the NBA Basketball Hall of Fame Sued for Fraud and Other Claims by SportsFuzion Over Michael Jordan Products

Boston, MA, June 24, 2009 – SportsFuzion, Inc., a sportswear company and the exclusive licensee of the Basketball Hall of Fame's sportswear has filed a lawsuit in Norfolk Superior Court in Massachusetts against NIKE, Inc. (NYSE: NKE) and the NBA Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame alleging breach of contract, tortious interference with contract, fraud, and other counts for general and punitive damages. The lawsuit comes after NIKE and the Hall of Fame conspired to eliminate SportsFuzion by manufacturing, marketing, and selling sportswear related to Michael Jordan's upcoming Hall of Fame induction. Since 2006, SportsFuzion has been the owner of the exclusive worldwide rights to the Hall of Fame's trade names, logos, trademarks, designs, and photos for use in sportswear.

Leveraging Michael Jordan's highly anticipated Hall of Fame induction, NIKE will release its Air Jordan Hall of Fame (HOF) Collection into the market this summer. NIKE recently launched a major campaign to promote these products. This campaign includes the website www.getyourbasketballon.com featuring several videos of the fictitious character – Leroy Smith – who supposedly inspired Michael Jordan to greatness. It is estimated that NIKE could sell over $100 million of Michael Jordan Hall of Fame products worldwide.

Beginning in 2005, legal teams for SportsFuzion and the Hall of Fame spent nearly a year negotiating the exclusive worldwide licensing agreement. More than three years ago, SportsFuzion created the concept and a detailed marketing plan around a product line for Michael Jordan's induction into the Hall of Fame. "In 2005, I knew that Michael Jordan's induction would be the biggest event in the Hall of Fame's history and, like his impact on the NBA and the game of basketball, this product opportunity was enormous," said Andrew Mirken, president and co-founder of SportsFuzion.

"SportsFuzion was built around my love and passion for basketball and my admiration for Michael Jordan," said Mirken, who has coached high school boys' basketball for almost 20 years. "Having the opportunity to work with Michael Jordan and all of the great athletes in the Hall of Fame was the dream of my lifetime. Having NIKE and the Hall of Fame go behind our backs to cut us out of the deal has become my worst nightmare."

After entering into the exclusive worldwide license agreement with SportsFuzion, senior level executives at the NBA helped arrange numerous meetings for SportsFuzion with Adidas/Reebok, Mitchell and Ness, and others in hopes of product partnerships being formed. Beginning in the fall of 2006, SportsFuzion met multiple times with top executives from Brand Jordan. After being provided with a copy of SportsFuzion's agreement with the Hall of Fame and after being educated about the opportunity, NIKE turned SportsFuzion down. Among the NIKE executives that considered SportsFuzion's proposal were Howard White, VP Sports Marketing Brand Jordan, who, on November 21, 2007 wrote SportsFuzion saying, "I just wanted to let you know that we've looked at the opportunity with the Hall of Fame from all angles. Our marketing people have looked at it along with our product team. At this time the team feels that it's not an opportunity that we can make happen. We really appreciate the time and consideration that you've given us here in Brand Jordan with Michael going into the Hall of Fame but we've explored every opportunity and at this current time there isn't a fit."

Two months later in January 2008, the Hall of Fame contacted SportsFuzion to "renegotiate" its contract. "It became clear to us that NIKE wanted to do a deal directly with the Hall of Fame and that meant the Hall of Fame had to get out of their agreement with us," said Steve Barlow, co-founder, lead investor and SportsFuzion Board Director. "It was a complete surprise when the Hall of Fame told us they did not understand the totality of the rights they granted our company and that our agreement was not good for the Hall of Fame. Nike's recent Michael Jordan Hall of Fame launch was a total shock to us because we had financed and built the company around this exclusive licensing agreement, and always operated in good faith. We sensed something unethical was in the works – and unfortunately we were right."

SportsFuzion, Inc. is a Massachusetts-based sportswear company that owns the exclusive worldwide rights to the Basketball Hall of Fame's trade names, logos, trademarks, designs, and photos for use in sportswear. SportsFuzion is represented in this matter by Fish & Richardson, the largest intellectual property law firm in the world.

# # #

Christopher James Carolan—who was already wanted on an unrelated burglary charge—worked for Price Security Company, and was assigned to provide security services to Parker's home. He abruptly resigned last month and then the very next day—lo and behold—he listed an autographed Michael Jordan jersey on Craigslist. A jersey much like the one that used to belong to Parker! How about that!

Are you ready for the dumbest part of the story?

The jersey was listed on Craigslist for $500 or best offer, but sheriff's investigators said the jersey has a value of $20,000.

I'm starting to suspect that this guy didn't really know what he was doing.

Tony Parker's Stolen Jersey Recovered [KSAT]
Guard accused of stealing from Tony Parker [San Antonio Express-News]