>> he challenged me with predicamenttive skill. they're just as good as dead. >> every mike tyson fight was an event because every fight was like an ax murder. when he fought michael spinks, the electricity, you could just feel watching it on tv. >> he leads with the right hand. there he goes! >> tyson was made for tv because there was drama. >> it's all over. mike tyson has won it! >> not a lot of junior high school kids can dunk. especially at -- >> everybody tries. >> i think that he is starting to transcend his sport that he's becoming a public figure. >> michael jordan becomes the model every other athlete wants to shoot for. they want to be a brand. and that's what television does for these athletes. it turns them unit worldwide, iconic brands. >> the inbounds pass comes in to jordan. michael at the foul line. good! the bulls win it! >> athletes in the '80s became part of an ongoing group of people that we cared about. we had an enormous pent-up demand for sports and the '80s began to provide. thank goodness.