logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Michael Jordan Is a Billionaire — inside His Road to Becoming the World's Richest Athlete

Olawale Ogunjimi
Apr 02, 2021
08:30 A.M.

During his playing days, Michael Jordan was an unstoppable force in the NBA. Since his retirement from the sport, he has gone on to become the world's richest sportsman.

Advertisement

When Michael Jordan finally said goodbye to the NBA, it felt like basketball was saying goodbye to arguably one of the greatest players to have ever graced the courts.

However, his retirement from the game was not the end of his success, as he has since gone on to build a brand and become the richest sportsman in the world. Find out how he has been able to achieve such an impressive feat.

Former Chicago Bulls star player Michael Jordan held the basketball on the court to honor the 2020 NBA All-Star game on February 17, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

Former Chicago Bulls star player Michael Jordan held the basketball on the court to honor the 2020 NBA All-Star game on February 17, 2019 | Photo: Getty Images

JORDAN'S NET WORTH

Despite many billionaires losing money due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jordan's stock rose as he gained $300 million because of the Charlotte Hornets' rise in value. The former Chicago Bulls star owns about 70% of the NBA franchise.

Advertisement

He also earned an extra $145 million largely from Nike. Overall, he is estimated to be worth $2.1 billion, making him a firm part of the world's billionaires and the richest global athlete.

Advertisement

EARNINGS AS A PLAYER

During his playing days, Jordan earned $94 million before taxes in his 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and two years with the Washington Wizards.

The basketball legend also earned $4 million, which the Bulls paid him when he quit basketball to play minor league baseball in the 1993-1994 season.

Advertisement

JORDAN'S ENDORSEMENTS

With the fame he gained from his basketball, Jordan earned multiple endorsement deals that came with big cash. In over four decades, he has earned about $1.7 billion (before tax).

This is off the NBA court and from his endorsement deals with acclaimed brands like Nike, Chevrolet, McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Wheaties, and many others. Jordan still pitches Hanes, Gatorade, Nike, and Upper Deck.

Michael Jordan walks off the court during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Center on February 14, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

Michael Jordan walks off the court during the NBA All-Star Game 2016 at the Air Canada Center on February 14, 2016 | Photo: Getty Images

JORDAN'S EARNINGS FROM NIKE

Nike has always been the former basketballer's biggest backer. In 1984, he signed a five-year deal with the sports brand. The deal was worth $500,000 per annum at the time, including royalties.

Advertisement

Last year, Forbes calculated his take to be $130 million. With Nike's help, the Jordan Brand became a massive standalone business, earning $3.1 billion in wholesale revenue in 2019.

The brand continues to do well amid the pandemic and contributes majorly to Nike's earnings as well. There is still more to come for the brand in the years ahead, and fans should be excited.

Michael Jordan walks onto the 18th green during Aria Resort & Casino's 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek on April 6, 2014 | Photo: Getty Images

Michael Jordan walks onto the 18th green during Aria Resort & Casino's 13th Annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational at Shadow Creek on April 6, 2014 | Photo: Getty Images

EARNINGS FROM THE CHARLOTTE HORNETS

Three years after being forced out as an executive and owner by then-Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin in 2003, Jordan returned to buy a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats.

He has since renamed the franchise to become the Charlotte Hornets. In 2010, Jordan took majority control of the team. With time, he raised his stake in the team to 90%. The team's value rose due to multiple enabling factors.

Advertisement

Last September, he sold roughly 20% of his equity in the franchise to New York-based hedge fund managers Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim. It was valued at $1.5 billion.

Michael Jordan attends a press conference before the NBA Paris Game match between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks on January 24, 2020 | Photo: Getty Images

Michael Jordan attends a press conference before the NBA Paris Game match between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks on January 24, 2020 | Photo: Getty Images

JORDAN'S INVESTMENTS

The Charlotte Hornets are Jordan's biggest investment, but it has not stopped him from investing in other businesses. Some of his investments include Sportradar, a Swiss-based sports data provider.

In 2018, he joined former NBA star Magic Johnson to invest in aXiomatic, the parent company of esports squad Team Liquid. The brand was recently valued at $320 million.

Advertisement

In 2019, Jordan and four other NBA owners launched a super-premium tequila brand, Cincoro. The most expensive bottle in the line, Extra Anejeo, sells for $1,600.

In 2017, Jordan joined the investor group that bought Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins for $1.7 billion. He owns less than 1% of the team.

The 58-year-old also owns a car dealership and is a partner in Cornerstone Restaurant Group, which manages five Jordan-branded restaurants.

Advertisement

JORDAN'S PHILANTHROPY

Jordan is engaged in multiple philanthropic activities. Last year, a documentary titled "The Last Dance" focusing on his final season with the Chicago Bulls was released. All Jordan's proceeds from the documentary will go to charity.

He also joined most other NBA owners with a pledge to pay arena workers for missed games due to the pandemic, which caused games to stop.

Michael Jordan at a press conference before the NBA Paris Game match between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in January 2020. | Photo: Getty Images

Michael Jordan at a press conference before the NBA Paris Game match between Charlotte Hornets and Milwaukee Bucks in January 2020. | Photo: Getty Images

Jordan has also donated to hurricane relief efforts in both the Bahamas and the Carolinas. He is also involved in the Make-A-Wish foundations, donating and granting hundreds of wishes.

Last October, he opened the first of two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Medical Clinics. The clinics will serve underprivileged Charlotte Community members.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

2023's Sexiest Bald Man Revealed by Study, Sparking Public Discussion

November 27, 2023

These 5 Girls Are '90s Idols and One of Whom Is Married to a Famous Soccer Player – Quiz

December 20, 2023

Tyreek Hill's Wife - Keeta Vaccaro Is a Businesswoman Passionate about Start-Ups & Wellness

November 24, 2023

Brooke Sealey Was Jeff Gordon's Wife until Their Marriage Became 'Irretrievably Broken'

November 22, 2023

Rich Man Humiliates Poor Family in an Expensive Restaurant, and Waitress Teaches Him a Lesson – Story of the Day

February 12, 2024

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, 70, Becomes 1st Woman to Amass $100B - The Richest Woman in the World

December 29, 2023

Shari Jordan Is Jeffrey Dahmer's Step-Mother: Inside Her Relationship with His Father

December 05, 2023

Diana Ross Begged Son to Protect her Estate – His Life Changed Following Wedding

December 06, 2023

Laticia Rolle Is a Businesswoman - Meet Shaq O'Neal's Former Girlfriend

November 19, 2023

Francis Antetokounmpo Left Sports for Music: More about Giannis Antetokounmpo's Older Brother

November 30, 2023

Angel Reese's Parents: Angel Webb Reese & Michael Reese Also Played Basketball

November 15, 2023

NBA Star LeBron James Was a 'Nomad' until He Was 9 and One Person Offered Him Shelter

March 05, 2024

Bill Hemmer: The News Anchor Once Opened Up about Wanting to Get Married

November 20, 2023

Michael Strahan’s Life in Home Where He Spends Time with His Ill Daughter & Girlfriend of Almost 8 Years

January 19, 2024