In "The Last Dance," ESPN’s 10-part documentary on Michael Jordan and his historic run with the Chicago Bulls, episode eight drops a fascinating detail about how Jordan kept his competitive edge in the off-season. While filming "Space Jam," Warner Bros. built him a custom basketball court—dubbed the “Jordan Dome”—so he could train between takes. NBA legends like Reggie Miller, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, and Dennis Rodman joined him for high-intensity three-on-three games that players described as being as grueling as real NBA matchups. Packed with drills, shooting contests, and fierce competition, those three-on-three games allowed Jordan to feel out his competition and start the 1995-1996 NBA season ready to go, on day one. That year he led his team to a record-breaking 72-win season.
Fast forward to January 17, 2025, and the launch of the Unrivaled Basketball League feels like the formalization of Jordan’s off-season strategy—except this time, it’s not just about staying in shape. It’s a full-fledged business designed to make sure the best players in women’s basketball are treated and paid accordingly.
