10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational! Celebration begins at HAZE!

Mike Piazza and Alan Thicke

Gabriel Aubry

Janet Jones-Gretzky and Wayne Gretzky

Larry David

Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto

Chi McBride and Julissa McBride

Last night, Jordan Brand partnered with the 10th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational to celebrate the Las Vegas debut of the four-day tournament with a welcome celebration at HAZE Nightclub in ARIA Resort & Casino at CityCenter.

Outside the Vegas hot spot, fans cheered and gathered to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s greatest sports and entertainment stars on the red carpet. Enthusiastic roars came from the crowd as Michael Jordan descended the escalator toward the red carpet in a yellow linen shirt and gold hoop earring with beautiful girlfriend Yvette Prieto. When asked about the tournament, Jordan said, “Everybody is very happy about [the tournament moving to Las Vegas] but I think that they’re more worried about the golf course, because a lot of them have never had a chance to play Shadow Creek ... They’ve never had a public tournament here at this golf course.” At a press conference earlier in the day, Jordan said, “I love Shadow Creek. I always have; always felt like it was one of the top golf courses that I’ve played.”

And who does Jordan think will win?  “I haven’t set the pairings yet, but I definitely want to win,” said Jordan.  “I’ll do everything we can to try to win. It should be fun.”

All the stars were clearly excited to be a part of the annual charity event as football legend Jerome “The Bus” Bettis could not stop smiling and baseball great Ken Griffey Jr. jokingly chatted up the reporters and photographers. The always sexy Gabriel Aubry said, “Let’s HAZE it!” before making his walk on the red carpet, and hockey star Brett Hull declared, “Wow, this feels like Hollywood!” as he posed for the cameras with his beautiful wife, Darcie. Baseball pro Mike Piazza took a moment to take in the atmosphere, and said “I haven’t been here [Las Vegas] in awhile, and it’s the first time I’ve been to ARIA. It’s amazing. It’s a very cool place. You almost don’t feel like you’re in Vegas. It’s got a unique, kind of modern vibe to it.”

Speaking to the charity side of the event, Jordan told reporters he thinks “it’s going to be a big contribution to the charities [Make-A-Wish Foundation, Nevada Cancer Institute, Cats Care and the James R. Jordan Foundation]. I’m very proud and very happy that a lot of celebrities came out to try to support [us], and people are going to benefit from it,” said Jordan. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky said he was thrilled to participate in MJCI. “The greatest thing about being celebrities or professional athletes is the opportunity to help people who are less fortunate and help charities around the world,” said Gretzky. “Michael is always there to help people, and we’re just part of this whole team.”

Jordan Brand celebrity and actor Chi McBride was looking suave in his khakis and blazer while basketballer Penny Hardaway rocked a sweater and True Religion jeans. Also joining Jordan in the nightclub were country music icon Toby Keith in a black cap, jeans and beige corduroy shirt and NBC’s The Office funnyman Brian Baumgartner.

Not only excited about the night ahead at Sin City’s premier nightclub, the athletes and entertainers were also anxious to get the competition started at Shadow Creek. Former NBA star Michael Finley expressed that he could not wait to play on the exclusive golf course and former football player Hollywood Henderson warned that players were in for a surprise with how difficult the course would be for them the next day. Actor/comedian Larry David came to show his support for the charities but was hesitant about golf as he told reporters, “I don’t play that many tournaments. In fact, I avoid tournaments, because I’m afraid I’ll kill somebody. Think I want a gallery watching me swing? It’s hard enough swinging with your friends looking at you. No, I could get sued.”

Inside of HAZE, guests were bumping to the beats of DJ MC Lyte as she rocked the dance floor with hot tracks, like Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.” Jordan and Griffey were kicking back in VIP on the nightclub’s luxurious suede couches surrounded by friends and delectable eats. McBride exchanged hugs and high-fives with Jordan while Finley chilled at the bar. Hardaway bobbed his head along to beats, like Jay-Z’s “Empire State of Mind,” as Alan Thicke and Piazza caught up behind the DJ booth.  Guests gathered in VIP to show off their dance moves and take time to greet Jordan.

The night was young, and everyone was having fun and keeping it friendly before the first round of the competition takes off. The Celebrity-Amateur competition begins Thursday, March 31st at Shadow Creek.

Photo Credit: Chris Weeks/ WIRE Image