In an unexpected twist that has shocked both the sports and entertainment worlds, it has been revealed that basketball legend Michael Jordan refused to participate in a ‘woke’ commercial alongside actor Robert De Niro. According to insiders close to the matter, the reason for this rejection has nothing to do with professional differences, but with something much more personal: “I don’t like him,” Jordan said in private statements.
Sources close to the project indicated that Jordan was approached by a renowned advertising agency to participate in an advertising campaign focused on social justice, inclusion and activism, alongside Hollywood star Robert De Niro. The idea was to bring together two of the most influential figures in their respective worlds: sport and film, in order to convey a progressive message to a global audience.
However, Jordan, known for being a reserved figure and reluctant to get involved in political or social discussions, decided to reject the offer. According to sources, the reason for his refusal was “personal reasons” and his dislike of De Niro. “I don’t like him,” were the words Jordan would have used when expressing his rejection, a comment that has not taken long to generate a wave of reactions.
The term ‘woke’ has generated increasing polarisation in recent years, with many public figures expressing concern about the growing trend of activism in media and advertising. While De Niro is widely recognized for his support of progressive causes and his outspoken criticism of political leaders, Jordan has preferred to maintain an apolitical stance, focusing on his sporting legacy and business ventures.
Jordan, que siempre ha mantenido su vida personal y sus creencias en privado, parece considerar que esta colaboración con un mensaje “woke” no encaja con su marca personal. De hecho, la actitud de Jordan frente a la política y el activismo social se ha mantenido intacta desde sus años de jugador, donde incluso sus famosas palabras “Los republicanos también compran zapatillas” causaron controversia en su época, pero nunca comprometieron su postura apolítica.
Por su parte, De Niro no ha hecho comentarios públicos sobre la negativa de Jordan, pero los rumores indican que la decisión de rechazar el proyecto podría haber generado tensiones entre los dos. Mientras De Niro ha sido un firme defensor de causas progresistas, Jordan se ha mantenido más cauteloso, evitando el activismo político. Esta diferencia de enfoque entre los dos iconos culturales ha dejado a muchos sorprendidos, ya que Hollywood esperaba verlos juntos para enviar un mensaje progresista al mundo.
Este desacuerdo no es solo una cuestión personal entre Jordan y De Niro, sino que refleja una mayor división en la intersección de los deportes, el entretenimiento y la política. En los últimos años, Hollywood ha adoptado con más fuerza temas de diversidad, inclusión y justicia social, mientras que figuras del deporte como Jordan siguen prefiriendo mantener un perfil más neutral y centrado en su carrera.
El rechazo de Jordan podría señalar una creciente resistencia dentro del mundo deportivo contra el activismo en los medios. Muchos atletas y figuras deportivas se han mostrado reacios a involucrarse en campañas políticas o sociales, prefiriendo centrarse en sus marcas y negocios en lugar de alinearse con movimientos específicos.
This episode could have lasting implications for how celebrity endorsements are handled in the future. While some see Jordan’s decision as a firm stance in defense of his personal limits, others consider it a missed opportunity for a collaboration between two giants of their respective fields.
In an increasingly polarized world, Michael Jordan’s decision to reject a woke commercial featuring Robert De Niro underscores how personal beliefs and political ideologies are affecting celebrity collaborations. This incident makes it clear that, even in show business, there are limits to how far public figures are willing to go to protect their personal brands and beliefs.
With the growing influence of activism in advertising and media, Jordan’s rejection could usher in a new era in which celebrities face the difficult decision of balancing their personal values with the demands of commercial campaigns. As entertainment and sports continue to evolve, we are likely to see more cases where personal differences outweigh professional opportunities, which could transform the way advertising projects and collaborations between public figures play out in the future.
