Michael Jordan's former lover will get to describe their relationship -- and his alleged promise to give her $5 million -- in court.
Karla Knafel presented "sufficient facts" to establish a case against the retired NBA superstar, the Illinois Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, allowing Knafel's case against Jordan to proceed.
She claims Jordan agreed to pay her $5 million after he retired, provided she keep quiet about a baby he thought he fathered with her.
Her lawsuit demanding payment was tossed by a lower-court judge, as was Jordan's suit against Knafel, claiming extortion.
But the appellate court reinstated both cases, and Jordan attorney Frederick Sperling said "we expect Michael Jordan's position to be fully vindicated."
Knafel's attorney, Michael Hannafan, said he was "gratified" the court said her "stated contract with Michael Jordan was valid, lawful and enforceable."
She says he suggested abortion
Knafel claims she met Jordan while singing at an Indianapolis lounge in 1990 and got pregnant in early 1991, after she and Jordan twice had unprotected sex.
She says she initially thought the baby was Jordan's and declined his suggestion to abort it, adding he was "troubled" about the impact an out-of-wedlock child would have on his marriage, public image and endorsements.
Knafel claims that's when Jordan promised "$5 million when he retired from professional basketball in return for her agreement to keep their romantic involvement publicly confidential."
Jordan paid the medical bills when the baby was born, but Knafel says he also gave her $250,000 for "mental pain and anguish" arising from their affair.
Their relationship became public in 2002, when Jordan sued Knafel, claiming he never made promises to her and she was just trying to extort money from him. Knafel filed a counterclaim, accusing Jordan of failing to live up to their spoken agreement.
Baby wasn't Jordan's
Though Cook County Circuit Judge Richard Siebel dismissed the complaints in 2003, the appellate court said that should only be done "if it is clearly apparent that no set of facts can be proven."
Knafel's claims that Jordan promised her cash to be discreet about her pregnancy "could be construed as a good-faith settlement" of the issue, the court said.
Though tests later showed Knafel's baby was fathered by former Major League Baseball player Charles Penigar, Knafel says Jordan should still be responsible for the $5 million he promised her.
he shoulda just paid his hoe an been done with her
jordan seem coo though...if yall ever met em
Karla Knafel presented "sufficient facts" to establish a case against the retired NBA superstar, the Illinois Court of Appeals ruled Thursday, allowing Knafel's case against Jordan to proceed.
She claims Jordan agreed to pay her $5 million after he retired, provided she keep quiet about a baby he thought he fathered with her.
Her lawsuit demanding payment was tossed by a lower-court judge, as was Jordan's suit against Knafel, claiming extortion.
But the appellate court reinstated both cases, and Jordan attorney Frederick Sperling said "we expect Michael Jordan's position to be fully vindicated."
Knafel's attorney, Michael Hannafan, said he was "gratified" the court said her "stated contract with Michael Jordan was valid, lawful and enforceable."
She says he suggested abortion
Knafel claims she met Jordan while singing at an Indianapolis lounge in 1990 and got pregnant in early 1991, after she and Jordan twice had unprotected sex.
She says she initially thought the baby was Jordan's and declined his suggestion to abort it, adding he was "troubled" about the impact an out-of-wedlock child would have on his marriage, public image and endorsements.
Knafel claims that's when Jordan promised "$5 million when he retired from professional basketball in return for her agreement to keep their romantic involvement publicly confidential."
Jordan paid the medical bills when the baby was born, but Knafel says he also gave her $250,000 for "mental pain and anguish" arising from their affair.
Their relationship became public in 2002, when Jordan sued Knafel, claiming he never made promises to her and she was just trying to extort money from him. Knafel filed a counterclaim, accusing Jordan of failing to live up to their spoken agreement.
Baby wasn't Jordan's
Though Cook County Circuit Judge Richard Siebel dismissed the complaints in 2003, the appellate court said that should only be done "if it is clearly apparent that no set of facts can be proven."
Knafel's claims that Jordan promised her cash to be discreet about her pregnancy "could be construed as a good-faith settlement" of the issue, the court said.
Though tests later showed Knafel's baby was fathered by former Major League Baseball player Charles Penigar, Knafel says Jordan should still be responsible for the $5 million he promised her.
he shoulda just paid his hoe an been done with her
jordan seem coo though...if yall ever met em
