Barack Obama Attends Bulls-Celtics Game During Visit to Chicago

The former president and longtime Chicago resident took in Wednesday night’s action among fans at the United Center.

The Chicago Bulls hosted the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, and while the home team could not secure a win, fans at Chicago’s United Center still found someone to cheer for: Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

No trip to Chicago is complete without a @ChicagoBulls game – and this time I brought along some of the young people who are part of our @MBK_Alliance and @GirlsAlliance. pic.twitter.com/LjZmleio5o

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 7, 2022

Obama attended the game with members of My Brother’s Keeper Alliance and Girls Opportunity Alliance, two Obama Foundation programs that aim to expand opportunities for underserved youth. The former president also made time to discuss career development with staff members at the arena.

🏀 @BarackObama is in the building! He stopped by tonight's Bulls game to greet young people from @MBK_Alliance and @girlsalliance who were enjoying the game after an inspiring career development conversation with @UnitedCenter, @NHLBlackhawks, and @chicagobulls staff. pic.twitter.com/lmqL3DMNWO

— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) April 7, 2022

Before being elected president in 2008, Obama served Chicagoans as a U.S. and state senator, representing Illinois. Though he was born and raised in Hawaii, he became a Chicago sports fan after spending decades in the city.

Obama arrived in Chicago in the late 1980s to work as a community organizer, and he was interning at a Chicago law firm when he met his wife, Michelle, who grew up in the city’s South Shore neighborhood. He recently reflected on these early years in Chicago — namely, Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ dominance — in ESPN’s “The Last Dance.”

You’re always welcome, @BarackObama ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ga2UGDGJWT

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 7, 2022

Though this Bulls team could not replicate the franchise’s past success on Wednesday, falling to the Celtics 94-117, Chicago hopes to change course heading into its final two matchups of the regular season. 

Tomorrow, the Bulls will host the Charlotte Hornets, an Eastern Conference foe aiming to improve its seed in the play-in tournament with a win over Chicago. The Bulls will then travel north to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, April 10.

To keep up with future coverage, follow us on Twitter at @AllBulls, and Alyssa Haduck at @Alyssa_Haduck.