One man from Nebraska kept the party going after purchasing Michael Jordan’s Chicago-area mansion earlier this month.
John Cooper, of Lincoln, purchased Jordan’s 56,000-square-foot mansion in Highland Park for $9.5 million, which ended an 11-year stint of being on and off the market — after the NBA legend cut the price from $29 million in 2012, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Jordan built the mega-mansion and lived in it during his playing days with the Bulls, with whom he won six NBA championships during the 1990s.
The seven-acre estate features nine bedrooms and 19 baths (15 full), a putting green, tennis court, cigar lounge and a regulation-sized basketball court, according to Zillow.
The mansion became a tourist attraction, including its signature “23” gate, a tribute to Jordan’s NBA jersey number.
Cooper — who is a partner at real estate company HAN Capital, where he has worked for 12 years — celebrated his 42nd birthday with his friends at the property within his first two weeks as owner of the home.
He told the Lincoln Journal Star that his party included a game of basketball and golf with a group of close friends.
Cooper, who is married with three kids, relocated to Chicago more than 10 years ago.
“I remember seeing the home for sale and thinking how cool it would be for the person that buys the home,” he said, adding that he was a big fan of Jordan’s game.
“My favorite player to watch was always Jordan. He made shots that seemed impossible, and he got it done on defense too,” Cooper said.
Cooper explained that he will announce “some exciting plans” for the property in January.
However, Jordan’s “23” gate will remain untouched.
“I’ll announce some exciting plans for the property in January,” Cooper said. “I do not have any major renovation plans. I will honor the property’s legacy. This place is great just the way it is.”
Cooper added that the home won’t be his full-time residence.
Jordan’s real estate portfolio includes multiple properties in his native North Carolina and another in Florida.
Jordan typically spends his summers overseas, including Europe, with his wife, Yvette Prieto.
The couple, who was seen yachting through Italy this past summer, has been married since 2013.