Michael Jordan Wanted Bulls To Fire Jerry Krause And Make Phil Jackson GM And Coach: ‘It’s Tough Working For An Organization That Doesn’t Show The Same Type Of Loyalty Toward You As You Show It’

January 31, 2025

NBA icon Michael Jordan wanted the Chicago Bulls to fire Jerry Krause and make Phil Jackson the GM and head coach.

Jordan hated working for Krause.

“One thing is for sure, money won’t keep me in the game,” Jordan told ESPN in April 1998. “Never. Just change ownership. And you know what I’d consider a change in ownership? Change the GM. Let Phil be general manager and coach. Krause? I don’t want to start a war around here. I’ll just say that sometimes it’s tough working for an organization that doesn’t show the same type of loyalty toward you as you show it.”

Krause made Jordan angry by announcing that the 1997-98 season would be Jackson’s final campaign with the Bulls even if the team went 82-0 and won the championship. Krause had a terrible relationship with Jordan and Jackson.

“Actually, right now he’s keeping a low profile,” Jordan said. “And I’m glad. I think it’s good that he’s not around, especially for the guys who rely on his decisions for their careers. I can operate with or without Krause, but when we walk past each other, we never speak. I guess you could say I don’t agree with his business decisions. We give up Jason Caffey, there’s no logic to it. The lousiest decisions are stumbled on. Getting some second-round picks in return? I can’t even think of a second-round pick in the league.”

The Bulls defeated the Utah Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals for their sixth championship in eight years.

Jordan and Jackson retired in the summer of 1998 and Scottie Pippen was traded to the Houston Rockets in a sign-and-trade deal.

Chicago hasn’t returned to the NBA Finals since the Jordan-Jackson-Pippen era ended.

Jordan had two stints with the Bulls. He averaged 31.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 0.9 blocks in 930 games and won five MVPs, three steals titles, 10 scoring titles, one Defensive Player of the Year Award, six championships and six Finals MVPs.