Chicago ? A state appellate court ruled Wednesday in favor of Michael Jordan in his dispute with an ex-lover who claims the retired superstar owes her $5 million.

Karla Knafel said Jordan promised her the money for remaining silent and agreeing not to file a paternity suit after she learned she was pregnant in 1991.

Jordan denied making the promise and sued Knafel in 2002, alleging that she was trying to extort money from him. DNA tests later showed Jordan was not the father of the child.

The 1st District Appellate Court in Chicago ruled on Wednesday that even if Jordan made the agreement, the deal was unenforceable because Knafel had misled him about whether he was the child’s father.