Comments about ‘Doug Robinson: From the Mailman to a businessman, Karl Malone still delivers the goods’

The mail often contains unwanted junk. I will skip this delivery.

The smartest thing Mailman's done is avoid popluating his businesses with old "friends" from back home. No matter what you think of him, he's never fallen into the moronic "entourage" mentality that seems to drag so many pro athletes down.

Statistically something like 60% of retired NBA players are flat broke or file bankruptcy within a few years of retiring. Obviously it doesn't have to be that way, and obviously coming from a poverty background does not have to limit a person, either. Karl just decided what he wants in life and worked to get it.

Karl shows that with a great work ethic and smart business moves, success can be achieved. Keep on delivering Mailman!

Fact check: The article said "Malone . . . has been retired from basketball for a dozen years." In fact, he retired after spending the 2003-2004 season with the Lakers. That was only eight years ago.

The thing I have always loved about Karl is that he is real. I didn't always agree with what he said or did, but you always knew where he stood and what he thought. I am glad to see Karl continue to work hard and to enjoy the journey.

I was never his biggest fan, but admit he has skill...BUT...I wonder what Karl Malone would think about how the employees of his businesses treat their customers, especially senior citizens! They are representing his name, at least, if not himself! My mom is at the end (we hope) of a VERY bad experience with Karl Malone Used Car Outlet in Sandy, Utah! I would NEVER recommend ANYONE EVER go there to buy a car! Their customer service is HORRIBLE! They put all blame for anything that goes wrong on the customer instead of taking responsibility for their own actions or lack thereof! Have him contact me, I'll gladly tell him ALL about it...would only hope that he would fix it in my mom's favor! GRR!!!

Karl was the best thing to ever happen to Utah sports

Holy cow! Rob Ariotti was my first little league football coach. I had so much fun playing for/learning from him that I continued to play football clear through high school. I now have a doctoral degree and am a high school administrator. I hope coach Ariotti is not so busy working for Mr. Malone that he has gotten out of coaching youth. Thanks for all you did in helping inspire my life! We'll have to get together and catch up.

Malone, who drove me nuts with his comments at times in the 90's, proves that people who work hard, and are willing to listen to the right people succeed far more than those with great skill or talent. His success in the court and in business resulted from an insane commitment to work. He listened and bought into Sloan's and Miller's work ethics. He's earned every bit of success he has.

I don't think I could stomach his radio show, but at the same time, I'd love to spend a day shooting the breeze with him one on one. I think it would a memorable day.

One of the best things karl did was let Larry Miller show him how to set up a business and make money.

Patriot;

Where would KM be w/o Stockton?

Best thing to happen to Utah Sports is/was Urban Meyer... think about it... you'll get it.

Looks to me like Mr. Malone is providing quite a few jobs from his businesses. I counted 17 business and if he only had two employees per business is providing work for at least 34 people. Now for the naysayers: Flap your gums all you want, Mr. Malone has taken the talents he received and is using them whether you agree, like, dislike, malign or pat on the back the man is accomplishing something. I personally always enjoyed Mr. Malone's abilities as an athlete, and now I admire his efforts in business. For those that have derogatory comments, what have you done with your talents and your life? Good article. Good man Mr. Malone. Keep up the industrious endeavors. An OLD fan.

any one who criticizes Malong is an ingrate and is jealous.

RMTB - never buy a used car, and never let your mother buy used..
There's a reason it's on the lot.
Someone either had problems with it, or it was a run-to-death rental/fleet vehicle.

Buy new, take pristine care of it (including maintenance), and keep it until it stops.

Our 2003 Prius runs like new, with 146,500 miles on it.

In his playing days with the Jazz I think some of us thought he sometimes acted like a child during contract negotiations. But that was just an act to get what he wanted (like a child would do!) Despite that tendency, I always thought his work ethic was a useful as an example to youth.

Now Karl's all grown up and using the millions he was paid to play basketball for more important endeavors, like building businesses and creating jobs for others to have. And, as Mr. Madsen stated in the article, "He's out there having fun and doing nice things for our employees. He talks to them about their families and their lives and helps them with things."

In this regard, Karl Malone is an excellent example to other pro-athletes about the REAL good that can be done with the money made with their mega contracts. Good for Karl.

Great article! I agree mostly with the opinion of the other posters. Karl Malone is to be recommended for his work ethic and his willingness to keep trying. I don't think he is the smartest business person, and he doesn't have to be. But he is smart enough to try new thinks, learn from mistakes, trust the right people and work hard.

To "Patriot" and "Mister J", the best thing that ever happend to Utah Sports is Larry H. Miller, without him none of this would have been possible.

To "Reasonable Person", I disagree with your comment about used cars. I only buy used as I don't like to pay for the value loss in the first 3 years. My best purchases were lease returns. These cars were well taken care off with low mileage but without the high prices of a new car.