WASHINGTON -- There was another sign Saturday that Michael Jordan's return is imminent.

Michael Jordan Return-O-Meter

A column in Saturday's Post, without citing sources, said Jordan would confirm "early next week, probably Monday" his decision to play for the Washington Wizards this season.

The word is likely to come via fax.

Jordan has come out of retirement via fax before. In March 1995, he announced his return to the Chicago Bulls with a two-word bulletin: "I'm back!"

The Wizards are prepared to announce Jordan's return at a moment's notice, with staff essentially just waiting for him to give the final OK. Word definitely must come by Oct. 1, when the Wizards fly to Wilmington, N.C., for the start of training camp.

The day before Tuesday's attacks, Jordan's comeback was the sporting talk of the nation's capital. He strongly indicated Monday in a discussion with three reporters in Chicago that he would return from his three-year retirement and play for the Wizards, saying he was doing it "for the love of the game."

It remains all but certain that he will make his intentions known before Oct. 2, when the Wizards are scheduled to begin training camp in Wilmington, N.C.

Jordan's late decision has led to numerous uncertainties within the organization. Coach Doug Collins doesn't yet know whether one of the game's greatest players will be on his roster. The team's media guide is on hold as the public relations staff waits to hear whether to include several pages on Jordan among the biographies.

The Wizards have experienced a surge in season ticket sales. More than 12,000 have been sold, yet there are about 8,000 more available that could go in a hurry if Jordan decides to suit up.

Jordan, the team's president of basketball operations, would also need to sell his ownership stake in the Wizards if he played. Much of the paperwork has already been done to make that process go swiftly.