Michael Jordan’s lawyers don’t rule out legal action over viral meme

NOBODY makes fun of Michael Jordan. His Royal Airness has lawyered up over a viral meme that has the internet giggling.

It’s the meme shared around the world.

A photograph of an emotional Michael Jordan taken during his 2009 induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has become the go-to image for mocking coaches, teams that lose an important game or pretty much any life event that needs mocking.

While Jordan, who’s notoriously protective of his brand, is aware of the image, he has not considered any legal action against it being used. “Yet” may be the key word.

Let them pour big guy.

A spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal, “at this time, we have taken no legal action.”

Last year, Jordan won an $8.9 million settlement after a Chicago grocery store chain used his name in an advertisement.

Most recently, the meme circulated on the NFL’s championship Sunday when the Patriots lost the AFC Championship game 20-18 to the Broncos, and the Arizona Cardinals lost the NFC Championship game 42-15 to the Carolina Panthers.

We'll just leave this here... pic.twitter.com/gmVIq3fdML

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 24, 2016

The Cardinals’ social media team — sensing they were the next meme victims — posted the photo mid-shellacking.

Is this what you want, Internet?! #BeRedSeeRed pic.twitter.com/SXVbQhOsAF

— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) January 25, 2016

With the Panthers and the Broncos set to face off in this weekend’s Super Bowl, both teams are hoping to remain gaffe-free. Broncos kicker Brandon McManus told the Journal: “I have no plans on becoming the Jordan meme.”

Originally published as Michael Jordan’s lawyers don’t rule out legal action over viral meme