Michael Jordan competes for lucrative prize away from the court
Basketball and worldwide icon Michael Jordan hasn't lost his competitive spirit, even at 60. The now-former owner of the Charlotte Hornets traded in his executive digs for a fishing hat and pole this week, hitting the open waters for one of the country's most prestigious and lucrative fishing tournaments.
Jordan and his team, "Catch 23," made their annual pilgrimage to the White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, dubbed by many as the Super Bowl of fishing.
An avid fisherman, Jordan has competed in the tournament for years. So, it's no surprise he's back for the 50th anniversary and the estimated $10.5 million in prize money, the richest in the history of the White Marlin Open.
Jordan's crew is cruising in style as if there was any doubt, hitting the seas in an 84-foot Viking fit with an elephant print paint job. The custom vessel reportedly cost $8 million and $1 million to operate yearly.
In July, Jordan's 13-year run as majority owner of the Hornets officially ended, meaning he'll have a lot of free time on his hands moving forward. The NBA Board of Governors approved the sale of the Hornets by a 29-1 vote to The Buyer Group for a reported $3 billion price tag, marking the start of a new era in Charlotte. And the franchise needs it after more than a decade of failed top draft picks, less-than-stellar play and an overall lack of expectations.
If Jordan is sour over his time leading the Hornets, he isn't showing it. Only a few weeks after the Hornets sale, Jordan has fallen seamlessly into his everyday life, as only he can. Perhaps he'll have more luck with a line in the water than with NBA lottery balls.
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