Inside billionaire Michael Jordan's old $9.5m mansion finally bought after 11 years
A man from Nebraska snagged Michael Jordan's Chicago-area mansion earlier this month. The seven-acre estate still has plenty of nods to its former owner, though
Basketball icon Michael Jordan's 'old stomping ground' has finally found a buyer after over a decade on and off the market.
The former Chicago Bulls shooting guard had been desperate to offload his old Chicago-area mega-mansion in Highland Park. Now, after 11 years, it has sold for an outstanding $9.5 million.
It was initially listed at a mammoth $26 million in 2012, but Jordan cut the price - much to the joy of its new owner, John Cooper of Lincoln, Nebraska, who purchased the property last December. He celebrated the acquisition, and his own 42nd birthday, with a special party within the first two weeks, which included a game of basketball and golf with close friends.
Jordan built the 56,000-square-foot mansion himself, living in it during his playing days with the Bulls, where he played for 13 years over two separate stints between 1984 and 1998. Over that time, he won six NBA championships.
Boasting an incredible nine bedrooms, 19 baths, a putting green complete with Jordan-branded flag sticks, a tennis court and a cigar lounge to name a few. All these luxuries hidden behind its iconic front gate featuring Jordan's famous jersey number, 23.
Let's take a look inside the seven-acre estate where Jordan would relax and unwind away from the court.
The '23' Gate
Before you even enter the huge home, you will be greeted by a gargantuan front gate emblazoned with a massive number 23 right in the middle. The eye-catching attraction, which has become synonymous with Jordan's real estate portfolio, will remain untouched.
Living rooms and entertainment spaces
Spacious, open and modern are just a few of the words that could be used to describe all the living areas that can be found inside the mega-mansion. The first showcases two sliding doors, which welcomes natural light into the room and opens it to the Chicago air, as well as five comfy sofas, one three seater, and four armchairs - perfect for social and family gatherings.
Seating that is positioned perfectly in front of a huge flat screen TV which looks ideal for watching films, television series, and of course catching up on all the latest basketball games.
There is another sitting room which has a calming and relaxing feel, surrounded by windows with a backdrop of shrubbery. Perfect for musicians too, as it has a piano waiting to be played.
Full-sized basketball court
The centrepiece of the property is easily its state-of-the-art full-sized basketball court. Right in the centre ring you will spot Jordan's logo surrounded by the names of his three children: Marcus, Jeffrey and Jasmine.
Gym
An athlete's home would not be complete without home gym facilities. Complete with all the bells and whistles of a world-class gym, it has everything you could possibly need to keep fit and train hard.
According to Concierge Auctions, Jordan's Chicago Bulls teammates used to work out there each morning.
Cigar room and wine cellar
There is also a luxurious cigar room nestled inside the Chicago mansion. It boasts plenty of seating, where Jordan would have chilled alongside friends and family regularly with a cigar or two.
Card tables complete the impeccably designed room, where we are guessing the sporting icon may have played his fair share of high-stakes poker games.
Best not forget the 'incredibly' expensive wine cellar too which over the years would have definitely housed some of the world's finest wines.
Library
The upstairs library was Jordan's favourite room of the entire 56,000-square-foot property, according to Concierge Auctions. It features a drop-down movie screen, giving it plenty of versatility whether you wished to spend time wrapped up in a book or unwinding watching a great movie.
It is to no-one's surprise Jordan's former home sold for nearly $10 million as it has so much to offer and is filled with so many hidden treasures. These include the outside infinity pool with a grass island in the middle found at the front of the property, and a set of doors from the original Playboy Mansion in Chicago, among others.
With this home now no longer part of the basketballer's real estate portfolio, it remains vast with multiple properties in his native North Carolina and another in Florida. Yet Jordan typically spends his summers overseas in Europe with his wife of 12 years, Yvette Prieto.