Air Jordan! GOAT! His Airness! Black Cat! MJ! That’s him, the most prominent basketball legend in history. Basketball’s most iconic player could have a museum built in his hometown of Wilmington, North Carolina.
New Hanover County Manager Chris Coudriet made the announcement today of the collaboration with the Jordan family to begin the planning phase for the museum.
“Our community is steeped in history, and while many famous families have roots here in New Hanover County, none are more notable than those connected to basketball’s biggest icon, Michael Jordan,” in a released joint statement by the New Hanover County Commissioners.
L-R: Michael Jordan’s Replica High School Jersey Display (MaxxPrep,com); Jordan serve his father, James Jordan, slice of cake for his 26th Birthday (Charles Bennett/AP), Jordan’s Logo on EA Laney’s Basketball Court (Facebook/E.A. Laney High School)
“This partnership is a next step to further share the family’s journey and guiding values, celebrate the Jordan family’s achievements, and continue to inspire and impact Wilmington, North Carolina and beyond,” according to the county’s statement.
The museum would be in conjunction with the Cape Fear Museum, with the proposed location on the corner of Chestnut and 3rd Street. It would be a part of Project Grace. This redevelopment project would turn an entire block of county-owned properties into a new central library and Cape Fear Museum facility.
Jordan, who grew up in Wilmington, attended E.A. Laney High School and advanced his greatness with UNC Tarheels and the Chicago Bulls, where he excelled, winning seven championships (6 with the Bulls and 1 with the Tarheels). Jordan also played with the Wizards after returning to the court after retirement. He later purchased the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) from the team’s founder, Bob Johnson, becoming the majority owner of the Hornets until August 2023.
New Hanover County Manager, Coudriet, and Jordan’s mother, Deloris P. Jordan, signed a memorandum of understanding dated Dec. 4th that says the museum would incorporate “important artifacts and objects to tell the family’s story.”
“The Jordan family is willing to contribute and loan the personal items necessary and appropriate to activate and fulfill the purpose of the museum,” the memorandum states.
The museum isn’t a guarantee, as the statement states the museum is only an expression of mutual interest and not a binding agreement.
