Michael Jordan, Emeril and more: The celebs who love Ocean City's White Marlin Open

The White Marlin Open carries the tag of the world's largest billfishing tournament, breaking records over its 50 years of competition when it comes to prize money and boats competing in the tournament. And as it's stature has grown throughout the years, it comes as no surprise that it's attracted some noteworthy names.

Whether it be all-time great athletes or celebrity chefs, White Marlin Open week can provide some excitement for people looking for celebrities around Ocean City. And fans waiting at the Harbour Island Marina scales always hope to get a glimpse of their big boats and even bigger names.

Here are some celebrities who have recently competed in the White Marlin Open.

Michael Jordan

In recent years, Michael Jordan's private jet being spotted at Salisbury Regional Airport has created a buzz across the Eastern Shore, as the NBA's greatest player tends to arrive ahead of the White Marlin Open.

"It gets us attention, there's no question about that," White Marlin Open founder Jim Motsko said in a June interview with Delmarva Now. "You'd be surprised how many people are asking me if Michael Jordan is coming back this year. People who are not fisherman, they're curious."

Jordan and his Catch 23 sportfishing yacht have become a consistent fixture at the White Marlin Open recently, competing in the tournament each year since 2019. And according to the White Marlin Open website, Catch 23 is registered to compete again this year. Jordan and his crew have become fixtures at plenty of fishing tournaments across the east coast, and His Airness will be looking to reel one of the big prizes at the world's largest billfishing tournament this year.

Wade Boggs

Michael Jordan isn't the only Hall of Fame athlete who has competed in the tournament recently, as a legend on the baseball diamond has also competed in Ocean City's crown jewel fishing tournament in recent years.

Wade Boggs, a 12-time MLB All-Star third baseman for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays, competed in the White Marlin Open as recently as 2015.

More: Ocean City's White Marlin Open: The best moments and biggest winners from 2022 tourney

More: Minor league baseball oddities, on Eastern Shore and beyond, chronicled in new book

Emeril Lagesse

Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse made his way to Ocean City in 2019 to compete in the White Marlin Open, the same year Michael Jordan also made his debut. And when he wasn't out on the water, the food connoisseur made his way to some of Ocean City's restaurants during the week.

Lagasse stopped at the Crab Alley and Sunset Grille restaurants while he was on the Eastern Shore, enjoying the rest of Ocean City like most anglers do when they are in town for the tournament.

Roy Clark

According to Motsko in his June interview with Delmarva Now, county singer Roy Clark also took part in the tournament before, and Clark, who passed away in 2018, was an avid fisher.

This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: White Marlin Open a celebrity magnet for Michael Jordan and more stars