For years, the unmistakable scent of Cuban tobacco was part of Michael Jordan's pre-game ritual in Chicago, enveloping the legendary player in a cloud of calm before each match.
Behind that thick smoke, accompanying him through the Chicago traffic to the United Center, lies a story intertwining the basketball superstar with the closely guarded secrets of Cuba's tobacco industry.
An American smuggler has now brought this story to light.
Scott Anthony OG, a self-proclaimed smuggler of Cuban cigars during the 1990s, revealed that among his clientele—which included judges, doctors, business moguls, and athletes—his most notable customer was none other than the iconic number 23 of the Chicago Bulls.
According to Anthony, they shared dozens of smoking sessions at Jordan’s Highland Park mansion, where “the Cuban smoke was part of the air.”
“Michael loved the double corona,” Anthony shared on The Burn Down Podcast. He provided Jordan with Hoyo de Monterrey, Partagás, and custom hand-rolled cigars crafted “without molds,” tailored for his massive hands, nearly 10 inches long.
Anthony claims he employed one of Fidel Castro’s former personal rollers, a woman who, as he tells it, worked under extreme security conditions, even nude, to prevent any CIA poisoning attempts.
“Her precision was incredible. Michael smoked the real deal,” Anthony stated.
The Dream of Visiting Cuba
This revelation comes years after Jordan himself admitted in an interview with Cigar Aficionado that visiting Cuba remains a dream of his. Not only due to his profound love for Cuban tobacco—he is an outspoken fan of Partagás Lusitanias—but also because of his personal connection through his wife, Yvette Prieto, who was born in Cuba.
“That's my dream trip,” Jordan expressed. Yvette's family has shared impactful stories about the island with him. He desires to witness the country, its culture, and, above all, to visit a cigar factory without any protocols, cameras, or formalities: “I want to see them work,” he asserted.
In that interview, Jordan mentioned smoking up to six cigars a day. He enjoys the large ones that last an hour or more, much like the double corona Hoyo de Monterrey he smoked to ease the stress of traffic and mentally prepare for each game in Chicago.
The Smoke That Connects
The most intriguing aspect of this newfound revelation isn't just that Jordan smoked Cuban cigars during a time of bans and trade restrictions. It’s that, according to the smuggler, he favored the same styles as Fidel Castro, crafted by a roller who worked through the most tense moments of the Cold War.
Perhaps the most fascinating element is this: a thread of tobacco linking a farmer in Pinar del Río, a watchful roller in Havana, the supreme leader of the Cuban regime, and ultimately the man who redefined global sports.
In each case, a cigar was more than just a cigar: it was a ritual, a symbol, a refuge.
Michael Jordan and Cuban Cigars: Unveiling the Legacy
What kind of cigars did Michael Jordan prefer?
Michael Jordan preferred the double corona type, particularly from brands like Hoyo de Monterrey and Partagás, which were often custom-made for him.
Why is Michael Jordan interested in visiting Cuba?
Michael Jordan is interested in visiting Cuba due to his deep appreciation for Cuban cigars and a personal connection through his wife Yvette Prieto, who was born in Cuba.
Who was involved in smuggling cigars to Michael Jordan?
Scott Anthony OG, who admitted to smuggling Cuban cigars during the 1990s, was responsible for supplying cigars to Michael Jordan, among other high-profile clients.