Michael Jordan proved once again that his winning spirit extends far beyond the hardwood. Over the weekend, Jordan’s 82-foot Bayliss sportfishing yacht, Catch 23, competed in the prestigious White Marlin Open in Ocean City, Maryland, one of the world’s richest and most competitive billfishing tournaments.
On Saturday, angler Trey “Cricket” McMillan, part of Jordan’s crew, reeled in a white marlin weighing 71 pounds. The catch was enough to secure second place in the white marlin category, earning the team a prize of $389,377. The moment was marked by a dramatic entrance into the harbor, with Jordan’s boat blasting “Sirius”, the iconic entrance music of his Chicago Bulls days, as the crew celebrated their achievement.
Michael Jordan is competing in the White Marlin Open this weekend with his 82-foot Bayliss fishing boat.
MJ and the Catch 23 crew are currently in second place after weighing in a 71-pound white marlin.
If the result holds, they’ll walk away with $400,000 in prize money. pic.twitter.com/UuXN4jPo0o
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 10, 2025
The first-place prize, a staggering $3.91 million, went to the Billfisher, captained by Dan Gough, who landed a 72-pound white marlin just days earlier. Jordan’s team missed the top spot by a single pound.
Jordan was visibly involved throughout the tournament, standing alongside his crew during the weigh-in and celebrating the result. Social media lit up with images of the NBA icon aboard Catch 23, posing with the fish and soaking in the atmosphere of one of fishing’s biggest stages.
Michael Jordan‘s Catch 23 weighs in a 71 lb white marlin. This is good enough for second place as of the way in. pic.twitter.com/O5mpQYZkZV
— SALTWATER FISH 🎣🐟🐠 (@saltwaterfish) August 10, 2025
This isn’t Jordan’s first foray into competitive fishing. His boat has made appearances in several major tournaments over the years, including a ninth-place finish at the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament in 2020 and a win at the Buccaneer Cup Sailfish Release Tournament in 2021. His consistent success in these events underscores his relentless competitive edge, whether on the court or at sea.
With this latest result, Jordan’s Catch 23 continues to build its reputation in the sportfishing world. And knowing MJ, second place might just be the motivation he needs to come back even stronger next year.
