NBA
How much money has Michael Jordan made? What is his fortune worth?
The Chicago Bulls and NBA legend celebrates 60 years of life, and has built his fortune on and off the court.
Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan turned 60 today, Friday 17 February, and there are few sport stars on the planet that can look back on a career quite like the one he has had. He’s a fundamental part of the conversation when talking about who the greatest basketball player in history is, and some go so far as to argue he is the GOAT of all sports. We’ll save that discussion for another article...
Where does Michael Jordan’s wealth come from?
During his playing days Jordan boasted being one of the best paid in the game, according to Forbes. He accumulated around 100 million dollars throughout his career, but after finishing his stage in professionalism, his fortune continued to increase year after year. Advertising campaigns in which he was involved, with brands such as Nike and Gatorade, kept the greenbacks rolling in.
Forbes estimates that Jordan’s currently worth is around $1.7 billion (before taxes), with ‘his net worth coming from his ownership of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and his nearly $2 billion in lifetime earnings from Nike and other corporate partners’. The same publication, in 2022, placed him in the 1,729th place on the list of global billionaires.
Nike’s Jordan brand alone generates about $3.6 billion.
Michael Jordan’s commercial dealings and NBA contracts:
Jordan’s commercial and business ventures have been highly successful, with the likes of McDonald’s and Hanes joining those mentioned above in getting his name, face and reputation on their products. His NBA contracts with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards cemented his legacy as one of, if not the greatest.
Commercial Dealings:
- Nike: Jordan signed a partnership with Nike in 1984 to create the Air Jordan brand, which has become one of the most successful and recognizable athletic shoe brands in the world.
- Gatorade: Jordan famously starred in a series of Gatorade commercials in the 1990s, including the iconic ‘Be Like Mike’ ad campaign.
- McDonald’s: Jordan also appeared in a number of McDonald’s commercials throughout his career.
- Hanes: Jordan served as a spokesperson for Hanes, appearing in a number of commercials for the brand’s underwear and undershirts.
NBA Contracts:
- Chicago Bulls: Jordan spent the majority of his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. He signed his first contract with the team in 1984 and went on to win six NBA championships with the Bulls in the 1990s.
- Washington Wizards: After retiring from the Bulls in 1998, Jordan returned to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards. He signed a two-year contract with the team in 2001 before retiring for good in 2003.