Retired basketball superstar Michael Jordan scored another victory Thursday when former girlfriend Karla Knafel's claim that he owed her $5 million was dismissed because the pact she alleged would be an illegal and unenforceable bid for "hush money."

Frederick Sperling, Jordan's attorney, said the decision by Cook County Judge Richard Siebel "confirms that the public policy of Illinois will not allow the enforcement of agreements to buy silence."

Knafel's attorneys said she was "disappointed" by the opinion but plans to pursue the case further.

Neither Jordan nor Knafel attended Thursday's hearing and could not be reached for comment.

Jordan sued Knafel last October, alleging she threatened to go public with their past relationship unless Jordan paid her $5 million after he retired from basketball. Jordan acknowledges he paid Knafel $250,000 but denies there was an agreement to give her more.

Knafel countersued, alleging Jordan promised her $5 million in exchange for her silence and for her agreement not to file a paternity suit after she became pregnant. DNA tests have determined that Jordan is not the child's father.