Michael Jordan to make a United Center return, but not for the Bulls

His Airness will return to the house he built, but not for the team you might be expecting.

© Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Jordan will make a highly anticipated return to the United Center - the arena he made famous while making his case for the greatest basketball player of all time.

Unfortunately, his forthcoming attendance at the UC won't be intended for his beloved Bulls team, as he will serve as a special guest for the jersey No. 7 retirement ceremony of his good friend and Chicago Blackhawks icon Chris Chelios over the weekend.

A special guest for a special occasion

In a Wednesday guest on 670 The Score, Chelios himself announced that he expects MJ to make an appearance in his jersey retirement ceremony for the Blackhawks this Sunday.

“I’m going to have them try to bring everybody I possibly can that’s had an impact on me and obviously (Jordan) was a big part of my ’90s,” Chelios said. “They’re going to be here to support me. I got a pretty good Rolodex over the span of my career so I’m loading up. This a last hurrah and I’m going to make it a good one.”

Both Jordan and Chelios served as two of the most important Chicago sports figures in the ‘90s. They formed a close friendship throughout the years since they first met in a White Sox game in 1990, the year when Chelios landed in the Blackhawks upon being dealt by the Montreal Canadiens.

MJ is didn't appear on a Bulls event 

Citing scheduling issues, Michael notably didn't attend the Chicago Bulls’ inaugural Ring of Honor ceremony last January. Despite sending a heartwarming video message that was presented on the jumbotron of the United Center, his absence from the event stirred intrigue and speculation.

Michael Jordan sent this message ahead of our Ring of Honor celebrations: pic.twitter.com/0HjOFFpXUj

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) January 12, 2024

The last known attendance of MJ in the United Center for a Bulls event was back in 2011 when the franchise celebrated the 20th anniversary of its first NBA title.

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