Walk into the United Center atrium on a random Tuesday morning and you’ll see it.
A two-thousand-pound bronze man frozen in a permanent, gravity-defying flight. It is massive. It is intense. Honestly, it’s kind of the North Star for every sports fan who has ever stepped foot in the Windy City. This is the Michael Jordan sculpture Chicago residents and tourists alike simply call "The Spirit," and if you think it’s just another piece of metal in a stadium, you’ve got it all wrong.
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Most people assume this statue was built to celebrate the end of a career. They're wrong. When it was unveiled on November 1, 1994, Michael Jordan wasn't even "done" yet. He was playing baseball. He was riding buses in Birmingham. The statue was a tribute to a ghost—a legend who had seemingly walked away at the absolute height of his powers.
The Secret 16-Hour Days in Highland Park
You’ve probably heard of the artists, Julie and Omri Rotblatt-Amrany. They’re a husband-and-wife duo based in Highland Park, and back in early '94, they were basically working in a bunker. The Chicago Bulls owners, Jerry Reinsdorf and Steve Schanwald, wanted the project kept completely under wraps.
Think about that. They had four months.
Four months to capture the "essence" of a man who looked different every time he took off from the free-throw line. The Amranys and three assistants worked 16-hour days, seven days a week. It was a grind. They even had to drive a clay version of the sculpture all the way to Nashville so Michael could see it during his stint with the Barons.
That "Glaring" Shoe Mistake (That Isn't Actually a Mistake)
If you look closely at the Michael Jordan sculpture Chicago is so proud of, you’ll notice something that drives sneakerheads crazy.
He’s wearing the Air Jordan IX (9).
Here’s the thing: Jordan never actually wore the Jordan 9 in a regular-season game for the Bulls. He had retired before they came out. People love to point this out as some sort of "gotcha" moment, but it was a conscious choice. The shoe represented the era of his first retirement—the exact moment the statue was commissioned.
Plus, have you seen the base? It’s five feet of black granite that lists every single achievement up to 1994. Later, they had to add the second three-peat because, well, Michael decided he wasn't done being the GOAT.
Moving Indoors: Why You Can’t Find It Outside Anymore
For over 20 years, the statue stood outside Gate 4. It braved the brutal Chicago winters, the horizontal rain off Lake Michigan, and the occasional prankster. But in 2017, the United Center changed everything.
They built this massive, 190,000-square-foot atrium.
Now, the statue lives inside. Some purists hated it. They thought "The Spirit" belonged to the streets. But honestly? It’s better this way. You can actually stand there and look at the detail—the veins in his forearms, the way his muscles tense—without freezing your face off.
Why the Pose is Pure Magic
The sculpture is 12 feet tall, but with the base, it hits 17 feet. What makes it special isn't just the height; it’s the physics.
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- The entire 2,000-pound bronze figure is attached to the base at only one point: his knee.
- It creates a literal illusion of flight.
- The abstract figures beneath him represent the opponents he "soared" over.
It’s not just a dunk. It’s a statement of superiority.
The Quote That Gives Everyone Chills
There’s a line on the base that everyone knows: "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be." But there is another quote added later, taken from the movie A River Runs Through It. It talks about witnessing perfection and how he stood "suspended above the earth, free from all its laws." If you read it while standing in the shadow of that bronze wingspan, it hits different.
Actionable Tips for Your Visit
If you're planning to see the Michael Jordan sculpture Chicago icon in person, don't just wing it.
- Check the Atrium Hours: It’s usually open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on non-game days. If there’s a game, you might need a ticket to get close after a certain time.
- Look for the Signature: Michael actually signed his name and left handprints in the wet cement nearby back in the day.
- The "Banned" Marketing: In early 2025, you might have seen "black bars" over the statue's shoes. This was a Jordan Brand marketing stunt for the 40th anniversary of the AJ1. It’s not permanent, so don't freak out if it looks different in photos.
- The Other Legends: Don't forget to walk back outside to see Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita. They stayed out in the cold while MJ got the VIP indoor treatment.
Go early. The crowds get thick around noon. Take the picture, but then put the phone down and just look at the way the light hits the bronze. It’s the closest most of us will ever get to seeing him fly again.
To make the most of your trip, check the United Center's official event calendar to ensure the atrium hasn't been closed for a private corporate event or a high-security game day window. You can also pair the visit with a stop at the flagship Bulls team store right next to the statue, which often stocks exclusive "Spirit" themed merchandise you won't find at the airport or online.