In 1984, the Chicago Bulls made history when they drafted Michael Jordan. A player who would prove to be a shining light for the franchise. However, when he first arrived, MJ’s parents, James and Deloris Jordan weren’t impressed with the team. Especially with the shady Chicago Stadium.
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The Bulls weren’t exactly the top team in the NBA, let alone the Eastern Conference back in the 80s. With not even a single championship to their name, the team was desperate for rejuvenation. Their home court clearly reflected a significant need.
Things were so bad, one had to wonder how the Bulls were paying their players. And, as revealed in Roland Lazenby’s Michael Jordan: The Life, it was a sentiment that Deloris Jordan echoed.
The state of the Chicago Stadium left Deloris Jordan concerned for her son Michael Jordan
Before moving to the United Center in 1994, the Chicago Bulls played most of their games out of the Chicago Stadium. Having stood tall for 66 years, the stadium was located on 1800 Madison Street and has quite a colorful history.
Situated in one of The Windy City’s worst neighborhoods, it earned the name “Madhouse of Madison.” A location that had been through hard times after the infamous Chicago riots of 1968. To say that it was in bad shape would be an understatement.
It had developed such an unsurely reputation, that fans, media personnel, and players alike were wary of the area. In fact, kids would slash your tires if you didn’t give them a little money to “wash your car.” There was even a recommendation to leave the place as quickly as possible once the games were over. All this put together, left Deloris Jordan very concerned.
“The first time they attended a Bulls game in Chicago Stadium, James and Deloris Jordan were taken aback by the sparse attendance and the dead atmosphere. Compared to the intense basketball energy at the University of North Carolina, Bulls games seemed pathetic. The Jordans wondered how this team could afford to pay their son hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. This will get better, Deloris told her husband, but she was far from sure.”
“For any fans brave enough to attend a Bulls game, parking their cars and finding their way to the gate often produced a heart-in-throat experience. “You had kids that would say, ‘Can I wash your car, mister?’ ” Jeff Davis recalled. “If you parked on the street and if you didn’t give them a little folding cash, you’d get your tires slashed.”
As a mother, Deloris had every right to be concerned for her son’s future. However, history has shown that her worries were unfounded, considering we are talking about Michael Jordan.
Jordan took the Chicago Bulls to new heights even in the decrepit-looking Chicago Stadium
To say that Michael Jordan is the best thing to ever happen to the Bulls would be an understatement. His Airness was the savior of the franchise. In his 13 seasons with Chicago, he helped place six championship banners in the rafters. Three of them were in the run-down Chicago Stadium.
However, the Bulls’ time in the Chicago Stadium ended in 1994. After moving to the brand new United Center, they demolished the Chicago Stadium a year later. But, the memories Jordan made still remain.
