Utah Hoops Fans Angered by NBDL Owner Hoax

Dec. 8 -- An NBDL team owner is apologizing for hoaxing local fans who thought Michael Jordan would play at halftime in a charity game at the Utah Flash's home opener.

Flash owner Brandt Andersen acknowledged sending a Jordan lookalike around town Monday, when supposed "Jordan" sightings and an Internet video of the impostor eating at a local restaurant created the impression that Jordan really was in town. More than 7,500 fans showed up at the game hoping to see Jordan play 1-on-1 against former Utah Jazz guard Bryon Russell at halftime.

The Flash had been pitching the Jordan-Russell rematch since September despite never hearing from Jordan after Andersen issued the first challenge.

Fans caught on when the impostor trotted to the court at halftime. They started booing, then leaving. Andersen had offered a $100,000 to the charity of the winner's choice if he could get Jordan and Russell to play a game of 21.

Jordan's jumper over Russell in Game 6 of the 1998 NBA finals gave the Chicago Bulls a 4-2 series win over Utah. Jazz fans still insist Jordan pushed off Russell.

Michael Jordan-Bulls DVDs carries Jordan complete game DVDs, such as his 69-point game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, his 55-point "double-nickel" game vs. the Knicks in Madison Square Garden, and his 59-point masterpiece against the Pistons, among many others.