Fact Check-Michael Jordan did not turn down Disney deal or criticize Pride in sports and schools

By Reuters Fact Check

Jan 10 - Michael Jordan did not turn down a multi-million deal to appear in a Disney movie or reject Pride in sports and schools, a representative said, contrary to social media posts saying the basketball legend stood against the “woke agenda.” Similar narratives were published on satirical websites.

An example on Facebook says, “Michael Jordan Rejects $100 Million Movie Offer from Disney Over ‘Woke’ Agenda.” Similar posts say, “Michael Jordan Rejects Pride in Sports and Schools: ‘Focus on Performance, Not Woke Agenda.’”

Many of the posts include links to websites with other false celebrity news headlines that capitalize on culture war keywords to generate clicks.

There is no evidence to support either of the claims about Jordan, however.

Jump Management, Jordan's family and business office, said via email “there is no truth” to these rumors.

Similar narratives were published by satirical website Esspots. On its “About Us” page, Esspots describes itself as a website “specializing in satirical news and parody.”

Disney did not respond to a request for comment.

The company was thrust to the center of the nation’s culture wars in 2022, when former Disney CEO Bob Chapek criticized a Florida legislative effort to limit classroom discussion of sexuality and gender issues for younger students.

Governor Ron DeSantis responded by campaigning against “woke Disney” and working to strip it of its self-governing authority over its theme parks.

Reuters previously addressed similar claims that Jordan rejected a Disney ad campaign and that he expressed support for Republican Donald Trump ahead of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.

VERDICT

False. Michael Jordan did not turn down a multi-million deal with Disney or reject Pride in sports and schools, a representative said.

This article was produced by the Reuters Fact Check team. Read more about our fact-checking work.