When people share stories about Michael Jordan , they almost always focus on his on-court greatness, his influence on pop culture and his seemingly unquenchable thirst for winning. But as his former teammate on the Washington Wizards, Brendan Haywood , recalled, Jordan had his quirks.
Haywood experienced this himself during their time together on the Wizards in the early 2000s. After a particularly rousing victory, the former Tar Heel and his teammates were surprised when Jordan announced he would be going out with them that night — something he never did.
But as thrilled and excited as Haywood was for that experience, the result wasn't what he expected.
Even though Jordan was near 40 when he unretired to play for the Wizards, his stature as the greatest athlete the world had ever known was set in stone. This meant that wherever he went, there was a frenzy and everyone wanted a piece of His Airness. That night was no different.
"My first time going out with Michael Jordan to the club wasn't what I thought it was going to be," Haywood narrated . "So we get into the club and Mike's there. Charles Oakley's there. But the wildest part to me is the whole club isn't partying. Everybody's just staring at Michael Jordan."
"Like I see why he don't go out because the whole club — it's like everybody's got their phones out. They just watching Mike. Everybody's watching Mike."
To anyone who followed sports, especially the NBA, Jordan was akin to a deity. His aura was unmatched, and there was a certain glow about him that had to be experienced, not just written about.
Haywood recalled that after spending 45 minutes in the club, Jordan decided he had had enough and went back to the hotel. But as welcome as he was at the club, he was treated just like any other customer, which meant he had to pay his bill. The problem was that he didn't, and as Haywood explained, Jordan felt that he never had to.
"This is one thing about Mike. Mike feels like if he comes to a club or a restaurant, just him patronizing, just him showing up, is good enough. So he doesn't feel like he has to pay the bill. So he feels like, 'Listen, if I show you love and show up, that's going to be enough pub, enough patronage," Haywood disclosed.
With Jordan gone, the promoter beelined for Haywood and Jared Jeffries and handed them a $15,000 bill. Haywood, who was playing in his second season and making $1,051,920, balked at it.
"I'm only living on $5,000 a month. The bill was $15,000," he exclaimed. "I didn't have it. Outside of paying bills, I live on $5,000. So I look at Jared. I'm like, 'Yo, you got it?' He's like, 'Man, I'm not paying $15,000.'"
"So the promoter is looking at us like, 'Who's going to pay this bill?' I'm like, 'Brother, have you ever tried to get blood from a turnip?'" Haywood continued.
As Haywood and Jeffries tried to sort things out, the former told the promoter that they would step outside to get his credit card.
"I told Jared, 'Follow me.' We got outside. I'm 7-foot. He's 6'11. We hit the door. We're running out the club because we don't have the money for the bill. I'm living on $5,000. I don't have $15,000 to pay for some liquor that I didn't drink," Haywood revealed.
"So it's just one of those moments. I got a chance to go kick it. I got a chance to party with Michael Jordan and I ended up having to run out of the club because he stiffed us and left us with the bill."
Jordan is the wealthiest athlete in the world, with a net worth of billions. But apparently, his presence was enough to cover a $15,000 bill, sending Haywood and Jeffries scurrying away in the dead of night.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 20, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
