Michael Jordan and wife.during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on November 1, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Michael Jordan’s name is synonymous with greatness — not just in basketball, but also in business. With billions in the bank and a legendary career behind him, MJ’s success is undeniable. But even the biggest icons have their awkward moments. While Jordan is closing a historic $3 billion sale of the Charlotte Hornets, an old story about his tipping habits has resurfaced, reminding everyone that even legends aren’t perfect when it comes to life off the court.

Michael Jordan is one of the richest people on the planet and is about to see his wealth increase by $3 billion as the NBA just approved his sale of the Charlotte Hornets.

But he was once accused of being a lousy tipper.

Former VP of operations for Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel, Rich Strafella, recalled a story several years ago in which MJ and former ice hockey star Wayne Gretzky were gambling together. Jordan is said to have tipped a waitress $5, prompting Gretzky to upstage him.

“I remember a night when Wayne Gretzky insulted Michael Jordan at the table,” Strafella told UrbanDaddy.com. “It was a private salon game. Michael had ordered a drink from the cocktail waitress, and he gave her a five-dollar chip.

“Wayne took it off the cocktail waitress’s tray, gave it back to Michael, grabbed a hundred-dollar chip from Michael’s stack and put it on the cocktail waitress’s tray. Then he said, “That’s how we tip in Las Vegas, Michael,’.”

 

Given MJ’s competitiveness, we can assume he ended up tipping the waitress a whole lot more than Gretzky.

Jordan’s penchant for gambling has been the source of a few wild stories over the years. This isn’t one of them as it’s only worth $105 that we know of, but recollections involving His Airness always make for great content.