One of North America's most storied sports franchises plans to celebrate its history in a new way.
The Bulls have created a Ring of Honor and will induct 13 players and one team into it over the weekend of Jan. 11-12, the team announced Tuesday afternoon.
“The Chicago Bulls Ring of Honor will be a first-of-its-kind celebration honoring many of the legends who have helped shaped our organization over the past 57 years,” team president Michael Reinsdorf said in a statement. “They have deep connections to our fans and community and represent a spirit of competition, hard work, and toughness. This January, we look forward to cementing their legacy in Bulls history and inspiring the future of our organization.”
The move comes amid increased public interest in Chicago's history in the wake of The Last Dance, the Emmy-winning 2020 documentary that traced Michael Jordan's odyssey with the Bulls. Conversely, it also comes amid a 9-15 start for the 2024 iteration of the team.
Members of the inaugural class include:
- Artis Gilmore, center, 1977-82, 1988
- Phil Jackson, assistant coach, 1988-89, head coach, 1990-98
- Michael Jordan, guard, 1985-93, 1995-98
- Red Kerr, head coach, 1967-68 (later a longtime color commentator for the team)
- Dick Klein, general manager, 1967-69 (the team's founder)
- Jerry Krause, general manager, 1985-2003
- Toni Kukoč, forward, 1994-2000
- Bob Love, forward, 1969-77
- Scottie Pippen, forward, 1988-98, 2004
- Dennis Rodman, forward, 1996-98
- Jerry Sloan, guard/forward, 1967-76, assistant coach, 1978, head coach, 1980-82
- Chet Walker, forward, 1970-75
- Tex Winter, assistant coach, 1986-99
- The 1996 Bulls, which went 72-10 and won the franchise's fourth NBA title
