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[Saba Sports News] Michael Jordan’s iconic mansion at 2700 Point Lane in Highland Park, Chicago, has finally sold after spending 12 years on the market. Initially listed for $29 million in 2012, the price was slashed multiple times, eventually landing at $9.5 million.
The buyer? John Cooper, a Nebraska native, whose identity was initially kept under wraps. Cooper recently shared his reasons for buying the property in an interview with the Lincoln Journal Star.
“I remember seeing the home for sale and thinking how cool it would be for the person that buys the home,” Cooper said. “My favorite player to watch was always Jordan. He made shots that seemed impossible, and he got it done on defense too.”
Jordan originally purchased the 7-acre lot in 1991 and built the 56,000-square-foot mansion, moving in with his first wife Juanita and their three children in 1994. The estate boasts nine bedrooms, 19 bathrooms (15 full), and an array of luxury features, including an indoor basketball court, a cigar room, a wine cellar, a home theater, a putting green, and a 14-car garage.
Despite its grandeur, selling the home was no slam dunk. The mansion’s heavy customization, including a gate emblazoned with Jordan’s iconic No. 23 and a basketball court featuring the names of Jordan and his children, likely deterred many buyers.
Even the outdoor putting green displays Jordan’s Nike silhouette, making the home uniquely tailored to the Hall of Famer’s legacy.
However, these unique features didn’t discourage Cooper, who has lived in Chicago for over a decade.
He expressed his admiration for the mansion and hinted at future plans for the property.
“I’ll announce some exciting plans for the property in January,” he 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, a partner at the real estate company HAN Capital, doesn’t plan to make the mansion his primary residence but intends to visit frequently.
The hefty property tax—$148,018 in 2022—might have been another reason for the slow sale, but with the mansion off his hands, Jordan is likely breathing a sigh of relief.
For Cooper, the purchase isn’t just about the luxury or history; it’s a tribute to his favorite player and a piece of basketball history he now owns.