Michael Jordan, Inc. seeks to make sense of a celebrated figure whose public existence illuminates a late capitalist order defined by the convergence of corporate and media interests. Using Michael Jordan as a vehicle for viewing the broader social, economic, political, and technological concerns that frame contemporary culture, the contributors focus on celebrity economy, corporate culture, identity politics, and the global marketplace--foundational pillars of contemporary cultural existence. They provide an introduction to late capitalism's pervasive and invasive cult of celebrity, examine the innovative corporate connections (particularly Jordan's association with Nike) largely responsible for Jordan's aggressively commodified being, excavate the cultural politics imbued within the racialized and sexualized nature of Jordan's identity, and demonstrate the global reach and influence that has accompanied the concerted commodification of Jordan by transnational corporations. This anthology represents both an intellectual expression of, and a political commitment to, the fact that Michael Jordan matters. "This book is a very timely, far-reaching examination of one of the most popular icons of our time. The various essays cover a wide range of topics, and this should be a useful study for anyone--scholars, students, and citizens--interested in the complicated ways in which Michael Jordan has become and continues to be a household name throughout the world." -- Sarah Banet-Weiser, author of The Most Beautiful Girl in the World: Beauty Pageants and National Identity "There are some books in the field that examine race and sport in interesting ways, but none which looks at a phenomenon so important as Michael Jordan and in so many exciting ways." -- Othello Harris, coeditor of Encyclopedia of Ethnicity and Sports in the United StatesContributors include David L. Andrews, Edward G. Armstrong, Ben Carrington, C. L. Cole, Norman K. Denzin, Michael Eric Dyson, C. Keith Harrison, Michael Hoechsmann, Steven J. Jackson, Douglas Kellner, Zbigniew Mazur, Mary G. McDonald, Robert Sparks, and Brian Wilson.

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