BREAKING> An iconic Chicago Bulls announcer was “fired” for violating a critical rule regarding Michael Jordan’s comeback.
The iconic Chicago Bulls announcer was reportedly let go for violating a severe rule upon Michael Jordan’s comeback.
With the Bulls, Jordan achieved six NBA championships, including two consecutive three-peats, before taking a break from baseball to deal with his father’s murder.
Though he, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were the stars of the 1990s, the Bulls announcer also attained legendary fame because of his Airness, which went beyond basketball.
For twelve and a half seasons, Ray Clay oversaw the PA system. He was well-known for yelling the famous “MJ” introduction, “Froooom North Carolina… at guard… 6ft 6in… Michael Jordan!” while the “Sirius” background music blared over the tannoy.
Thus, there was curiosity about Jordan’s introduction when he was scheduled to play the Washington Wizards against the Bulls at the United Center in 2002 for the first time as an opposing player.
According to reports, Clay told Chicago Sun-Times reporter Jay Mariotti that he wanted to go back in time, but that he had to announce Jordan like any other player because of orders from above.
“That was Ray Clay, the fan, speaking when I voiced my view. However, you are constrained by policies and the way your employer wants you to behave and speak while you work for them,” Clay added.
Clay lost his job a few months later in May. Although Clay is sure that the Jordan return introduction incident was related, no formal explanation has ever been provided.
“When you put two and two together, that’s all it could be,” he said.
“I can’t think of anything else I ever did wrong.”
“Bulls let go PA announcer Ray Clay, whose familiar voice introduced the Bulls lineup for every title year, after the 2002 season because of what Clay says was an argument over how to introduce MJ in Chicago as a Wizards player,” ESPN analyst Darren Rovell said, recalling the controversy from three years ago.
“Clay desired his customary opening. The group didn’t.
When the Philadelphia 76ers approached Clay to announce Jordan’s final NBA game in 2003, Clay accepted the honor.
Later, he started working as an announcer for the Chicago Sky of the WNBA.