Teenager Asks Mother for Paternity Establishment from Michael Jordan

There’s an unusual paternity action going on just south of Tennessee in the Peach State. The Fulton County, Georgia, paternity case involves a 16-year-old, a YouTube video, and renowned NBA shooting guard Michael “Air” Jordan.

The Mother

The mother is Pamela Y. Smith and her son, Grant “Taj” Reynolds, was born in 1996. Taj is the subject of the paternity action.

You may be wondering how Ms. Smith and Mr. Jordan crossed paths over 16 years ago. They were romantically involved while Jordan was still married to Juanita Vanoy. Over the years, the two seem to have remained on friendly terms and, according to Smith, Jordan has given money and gifts to young Taj.

Smith (now 44) filed the paternity establishment lawsuit on February 6, 2013, at her son’s behest. She claims that DNA testing may prove that Michael Jordan is Taj’s biological father. Should the DNA be a match, then she seeks primary child custody, child support, financial contributions to healthcare expenses for her son, along with a name change for the teen from “Reynolds” to “Jordan.”

Assuming the case goes forward and the DNA testing results indicate a positive match, then “His Airness” would be ordered to pay child support. Just as importantly, establishing paternity would galvanize his father’s right to child custody and parenting time access to his son.

Merry Christmas on YouTube

There’s no secret about who the minor child is in this case. Kids post the most personal things…

In addition to wishing viewers and followers a Merry Christmas, in his December 25, 2012, YouTube video entitled Taj Jordan (Michael Jordan’s Secret Son), the 16-year-old identifies Jordan as his (alleged) biological father. As though answering the question “Why speak out now?” Taj says simply that Jordan “should be more in my life…”

With the video release, Smith’s publicist April Love said, “Pamela [Smith] had no choice but to support her son and his desire to forge a relationship with his father.”

From the child’s point of view, this is a poignant story about a soon-to-be young man who is simply and honestly sharing his desire to be recognized by his real father. From Michael Jordan’s point of view, this may simply be a publicity stunt. A way to coat-tail on the basketball Hall of Famer’s celebrity (and wealth).

Jordan Requests Paternity Action Be Dismissed

On March 4, Michael Jordan responded by filing a Motion to Dismiss the paternity case. Why? The 50-year-old claims DNA testing in a previous lawsuit already proved he was not the child’s biological father.

According to Jordan’s spokesperson, the matter of paternity was already resolved in the 2003 Georgia divorce action between Smith and Glenville Reynolds. Reynolds was granted visitation with Taj and ordered to pay child support.

Jordan also filed a counterclaim against Smith alleging she made false claims against him.

Ask Our Memphis Family Law Attorneys

For more information, see Tennessee Child Support Answers to FAQ’s. For legal updates, news, analysis, and commentary, visit our Tennessee Family Law Blog and its Child Support category. A Memphis child support attorney from the Miles Mason Family Law Group can help you with Tennessee child support issues including setting or modifying child support. To schedule your confidential consultation, call us today at (901) 683-1850.