I got Michael Jordan’s endorsement to run for President of the United States – it helped me, but it didn’t sway the African-American vote

BILL Bradley is a Rhodes Scholar, two-time NBA champion, three-time U.S. Senator and U.S. presidential candidate.

But the most incredible achievement in the New York Knicks legend’s remarkable life was getting Michael Jordan involved in politics.

Jordan, who largely stayed out of politics and activism during his Hall of Fame career, famously said, “Republicans buy sneakers, too.”

As a result of their basketball relationship, Bradley scored a major victory with Jordan’s endorsement when he ran against Al Gore for President of the United States in the 2000 Democratic primary.

The Chicago Bulls icon appears in a 30-second spot endorsing Hall of Famer Bradley.

This is the first time Jordan has endorsed a candidate for public office.

During his playing days, the Bulls icon declined to endorse North Carolina Democrat Harvey Gantt in his 1990 Senate race against incumbent Jesse Helms.

The move was Bradley’s attempt to leverage Jordan’s extraordinary star power to appeal to African-American voters.

Yet despite Bradley’s longstanding commitment to civil rights, this made little difference to voters.

Gore easily won the Democratic nomination for President of the United States, but subsequently lost the election to George W. Bush.

Looking back on his presidential campaign, Bradley remains very grateful for Jordan’s support, but admits it only helped him “a little bit.”

“Celebrity endorsements, some help, some don’t. I don’t get a large portion of the African-American vote,” Bradley told The Sun.

“When people vote for president of the United States, they make their own judgments about who I trust in my own life, who I trust in my work, and whose outlook on life is somewhat similar to mine. … .

“Why should I get Michael? When you run for president, you look for every possible vote.

“He certainly didn’t hurt me, and he helped me a little bit. But no, he didn’t flip the African-American vote.

“I’m grateful for that and will always be grateful for it, so we have a special bond.”

Bradley’s oral autobiography of his presidential campaign, about his life called “Rolling Together,” has been released on the streaming service Max.

During his time in the Senate, Bradley was given the go-ahead to Jordan’s all-conquering Bulls to stand in the Senate.

“Here they entered a new arena, like the central court of politics or Madison Square Garden,” Bradley recalled.

“Lo and behold, they started milling around and started looking around at this and that.

“Michael Jordan ended up standing at the majority leader’s desk and I didn’t say anything.

“I thought, ‘He must know where the power is, that’s what I’m saying’.”