MJ backs Bradley

WASHINGTON -- Michael Jordan is appearing in television ads endorsing former NBA star Bill Bradley's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

	Michael is endorsing Bill Bradley's Democratic presidential nomination. (AP)

The ads will begin airing Friday in some of the states voting in the March 7 primaries.

Kristen Ludecke, Bradley's spokeswoman, declined to say which markets the ad would run in. New York and California are among the states holding primaries that day.

In the ad, the former Chicago Bulls' star, who recently became part-owner of the Washington Wizards, looks directly into the camera and talks about Bradley, the former New York Knicks' forward. It's the first time Jordan, a frequent star of TV commercials, has entered the political arena.

"He declares his support for Bradley based on his commitment to health care for children, curbing gun violence and other issues," Ludecke said.

Bradley already has won the endorsements of other former top players. Bill Russell, the retired all-star of the Boston Celtics, made ads for Bradley that aired in Iowa and New Hampshire, urging voters to go to the polls.