Basketball legend Michael Jordan has ignited a firestorm of controversy after reportedly turning down a lucrative advertising deal that would have paired him with Hollywood icon Robert De Niro, citing a blunt and personal reason: “I don’t like him.” The revelation, which surfaced on March 3, 2025, via an insider close to Jordan’s camp speaking to TMZ Sports, has sent shockwaves through the sports and entertainment worlds, pitting two titans of their crafts against each other in an unexpected clash.
The ad in question, pitched by a major athletic brand rumored to be Nike, was set to be a high-profile campaign slated for a summer 2025 release. Sources say the concept leaned heavily into social justice themes—described internally as “woke” by execs—featuring Jordan and De Niro narrating a montage of athletes overcoming adversity, interspersed with messages about equality and systemic change. With a paycheck rumored to exceed $10 million for Jordan alone, it was poised to be a slam dunk for the 62-year-old NBA icon, whose Air Jordan empire still rakes in billions annually.But Jordan, known for his fiercely private nature and a career-long aversion to political entanglements, reportedly balked at the script—and the co-star. “Mike read the pitch, saw De Niro’s name, and said, ‘No way, I’m out,’” the insider claimed. When pressed by his team on why, Jordan allegedly dropped the bombshell: “I don’t like him. Never have. I’m not doing it.” The refusal has sparked a frenzy on X, with fans and critics dissecting the roots of this apparent feud and what it means for Jordan’s famously apolitical legacy.
De Niro, 81, a vocal progressive and outspoken Trump critic, has never shied away from using his platform to push social causes—a stark contrast to Jordan’s “Republicans buy sneakers too” ethos from the 1990s. While no public record exists of a prior beef between the two, speculation is rife. Some point to a rumored 2018 encounter at a Manhattan charity gala where De Niro’s fiery political speech allegedly irked Jordan, who left early. Others suggest it’s simpler: Jordan, a self-made mogul, just doesn’t vibe with De Niro’s Hollywood bravado. “Mike’s old-school—he doesn’t do drama queens,” one X user quipped.
The ad’s “woke” angle only fueled the fire. Jordan, who dodged activism during his playing days despite pressure to speak on issues like racial injustice, has kept a low profile since retiring in 2003, focusing on his Charlotte Hornets ownership and Jordan Brand empire. “He didn’t like the script either,” the source added. “Too preachy. Mike’s about winning, not preaching.” De Niro, meanwhile, has starred in socially charged projects like The Comeback Trail and publicly backed movements like Black Lives Matter, making him a natural fit for the campaign’s tone—but a mismatch for MJ.Reaction online has been electric. Jordan loyalists cheered his stand: “MJ knows De Niro’s a loudmouth—good for him!” one fan tweeted. Others slammed him: “Jordan’s a dinosaur—refusing De Niro over ‘woke’ vibes is pathetic.” De Niro’s camp hasn’t responded, but his fans fired back: “Bob’s a legend; Jordan’s just mad he can’t act.” Nike, caught in the crossfire, issued a vague statement: “We’re exploring creative options and respect all parties’ decisions.”
This isn’t Jordan’s first brush with controversy. His 1990 refusal to endorse Harvey Gantt against Jesse Helms drew flak, cementing his image as a corporate-first superstar. Yet, his brand’s Teflon status—$6.6 billion in sales in 2024 alone—suggests he can weather this storm. De Niro, no stranger to headlines, has feuded with everyone from Trump to fellow actors, but losing Jordan as a co-star stings: the ad’s buzz could’ve rivaled his Raging Bull glory days.
What’s next? Nike might pivot to a solo Jordan spot or recast with a less polarizing figure—Denzel Washington’s name is floating around. For Jordan, the snub reinforces his mystique: a man who’d rather walk away than compromise. “Mike doesn’t need the money or the hassle,” a former Bulls teammate told ESPN. “He’s MJ—he does what he wants.”As the dust settles, the clash leaves a lingering question: Is this just personal distaste, or a broader rejection of Hollywood’s woke wave? Either way, Jordan’s “I don’t like him” has turned a routine ad deal into a cultural lightning rod, proving that even at 62, the GOAT still knows how to steal the spotlight—and dunk on the drama.
