In Photos: Michael Jordan makes splash at White Marlin Open, puffs on cigar before snagging huge mahi mahi in $8 million competition
It's no secret that Michael Jordan is one of the most competitive athletes of all time, and even outside of basketball, he continues to make waves. He recently joined the White Marlin Open in Ocean City with his $8 million super yacht, Catch 23.
"His Airness" was photographed puffing on a cigar during the competition, and his team managed to snag the heaviest mahi mahi on the tournament's second day.
The mahi mahi was caught by angler Patrick Field, weighing in at 32.5 pounds, making it the heaviest in the dolphin category as of Day 2.
See some photos of Jordan and his fellow anglers on Catch 23 below.
The White Marlin Open started on Tuesday and will conclude on Friday, Aug. 9. The winning team will receive a whopping $8 million as cash prize.
Catch 23, Jordan’s yacht, boasts MTU engines that propel it to speeds of up to 40 knots and allow it to cover more than 500 nautical miles. It can accommodate eight guests and a crew of two.
Its 216-square-foot cockpit is tailored for deep-sea fishing, equipped with a transom door, a sizable freezer, extensive storage and fish wells. The yacht also features Jordan’s signature elephant skin print, a design element that is also present on his private jet and the Jordan 3 sneakers.
Olympic gold medalist humorously credits Michael Jordan for greatness
Michael Jordan and nine-time Olympic gold medalist Katie Ledecky have an intriguing history. When Ledecky was just two years old, Jordan played peekaboo with her, a moment she shared on her X (formerly Twitter) page.
In an interview with Overtime, Ledecky reflected on the encounter, noting that even as a toddler, she recognized Jordan’s legendary status. She humorously speculated that Jordan might have transferred a bit of his greatness to her during their playful exchange.
“I like to think that he, you know, inspired me and passed on a little bit of his greatness,” Ledecky said. “It definitely was, you know, really inspiring to be around some professional athletes from such a young age.”
Ledecky explained that her access to Jordan was thanks to her uncle, who was one of the owners of the Washington Capitals while Jordan was playing for the Washington Wizards.
Now, 25 years later, Ledecky has established herself as a monumental figure in women’s swimming.