There’s finally light at the end of a decade-long tunnel for Michael Jordan. So the Internet comedians are crawling out of the woodwork to join the fun. If you haven’t followed on TikTok recently, Michael Jordan is still a registered property owner in Chicago, though he’s not lived in the city for over a decade. While Jordan, his wife, and his youngest kids live a quiet, luxurious life in Florida, his old Highland Park mansion languished for 12 years. But now the miserable drain of his billions may be set to end. Operating word: Maybe.

According to local Chicago reports, the house has found a buyer. It has gone under contract, but the deal has not closed, as realtor Katherine Malkin confirmed in Chicago outlets.

The mansion was built between 1993 and 1995 according to MJ’s exact specifications. It boasts signs of the 6x NBA champion all over, including the prominent #23 gates, the cigar room, and a full regulation-size court. Jordan raised his eldest three kids with his ex, Juanita Vanoy, in this mansion.

He listed it for sale in 2012 for $29 million. But after failing to get it off his hands, he reduced the asking price every year. As of 2024, the 56,000-square-foot property is listed at $14.855 million. It’s unclear if the prospective buyer agreed to this price or if there will be negotiations.

The final price, the buyer, and if the deal closes remain to be seen. ‘Under contract’ indicates a buyer has signed on the dotted line that they’re interested. It might not mean much; however, it’s the first time someone has shown interest. But just the first positive piece of hope for this doomed Jordan mansion has elicited reactions online.

Fans suggest ideas for Jordan’s mansion

Jordan reportedly spent $50 million in the ’90s personalizing this home. But it had a lot going against it. It’s not in a gated neighborhood for the rich and famous. Highland Park is as suburban as it can get. While he resides in Florida, Jordan pays $135,000 in taxes on this mansion. Even a fan was quick to respond to the news with, “That took forever. What was the sale price? I always wished he would have made it like a museum where you could talk a walking tour of the place. I would have paid for that.”

Given how much the Jumpman has to pay for a property he doesn’t use, fans picture dire circumstances have befallen the $3 billion rich athlete, “Thank goodness, heard he had to drive Uber to make ends meet,” a fan joked and left a few picturing MJ rolling up to your coordinates in a Ferrari.

The cynics remind us, “Well, ‘under contract’ is a positive step, but it’s not a done deal.” While Jordan’s realtors cross their fingers, local reports state the property is valued at $4.94 million. So the next owner—if the deal closes—may have to pay double in taxes. An X user put it less kindly. “What are the property taxes? $100k+ per year? The buyer must really love the bloated wasteful Illinois state and county governments to provide them so much money to set fire to.”

This home was looking unsellable because it looked like Michael Jordan’s home and not ‘a home.’ Anyone who could spend millions would have to spend more to personalize it. So fans are hunting for whoever took on this expensive risk. Someone clearly said, “Spoiler alert; it wasn’t me.” Others didn’t skip what a relief it would be for the Bulls legend, writing, “Congrats to Jordan. Sympathies to the new owner.”

If a fake video circulating TikTok is to be believed, “It’s a dump and will end up being torn down.” It’s somewhat incorrect. Many fans still flock to it like it’s a monument within Chicago’s landscape and confirm that it’s still in good shape. Most think it should become a museum dedicated to its owner. Or, “This is exciting. 20 bucks someone pitches a reality rehab show lol!” Hopefully, this suggestion is not taken.