For over a decade, the legendary Highland Park estate of Michael Jordan lay dormant, its gates locked and the iconic 23 crest gathering dust. After years of unsuccessful sales attempts, the home once associated with arguably the NBA’s greatest player has been rebranded, repackaged and is now available for rent on Airbnb.
The colossal 56,000-square-foot property, previously listed for £21million, was finally sold in December for £7.1m to Lincoln, Nebraska-based property investor John Cooper, who has since renamed it Champions Point. According to the official Airbnb listing, the mansion situated at 2700 Point Lane in Highland Park, Illinois, can be rented for a minimum of seven nights, accommodating up to 12 guests and requires a hefty £18,000 security deposit along with a signed confidentiality agreement.
The rules are stringent, with the host only accepting guests who have had at least three previous stays on Airbnb. The rate isn’t publicly disclosed but sources close to Cooper revealed to NBC News that a single week inside the property will cost a significant six-figure sum.
Cooper has already promoted the estate as a “private sports resort” and an “exclusive event property,” with the pricing reflecting these lofty ambitions.
Champions Point retains its famous No. 23 iron gates, and guests can expect to find seven bedrooms, seventeen and a half bathrooms, and an interior design that marries late-1990s opulence with modern trends. The property boasts a regulation-size basketball court, tennis pavilion, putting green, infinity pool, cinema room, games lounge and a cigar room.
Interestingly, none of the 22 listing photos show any trace of Jordan’s illustrious career. Even the large display cases that once held his six championship rings and MVP awards have been removed.
Cooper, who manages investments through HAN Capital and Heartland Storage, has big plans for Champions Point. He intends to use it as both an Airbnb rental and a fractional-ownership timeshare property, while also auctioning off pieces of the original home to collectors.
After acquiring the estate, Cooper revealed that his all-time favourite NBA player is Jordan. He also reminisced about his early sporting ambitions, which were curtailed by asthma.
“But my favourite player to watch was always Jordan,” he admitted. “He made shots that seemed impossible, and he got it done on defence too.”
Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six championships, won five MVP awards and transformed the brand economy of modern athletes, has a diverse business portfolio.
Following the sale of his stake in the Charlotte Hornets, Jordan’s primary business ventures now include earning substantial royalties from the Jordan Brand (Nike) and co-owning NASCAR’s 23XI Racing team. He also has investments in Cincoro Tequila, DraftKings, and real estate, including the Grove XXIII golf course.
His portfolio, managed by Jump Management, spans across various sectors including sports, betting, spirits, and tech, leveraging his brand to secure long-term wealth growth.