Retired NBA legend Michael Jordan achieved yet another remarkable milestone as he became the first professional athlete to feature on Forbes’ prestigious list of the 400 Richest Americans. With his net worth reaching a staggering $3 billion, the 60-year-old entered the renowned annual list for the first time on October 3, securing the 379th spot. This achievement places him among 15 other individuals, including prominent producer Haim Saban, co-creator of the beloved Power Rangers franchise. Topping the list are Tesla CEO Elon Musk, with a net worth of $251 billion, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who holds the second position with $161 billion.
Throughout his illustrious career, Jordan was widely regarded as the greatest NBA player of all time. He clinched six championship titles with the Chicago Bulls and amassed a considerable fortune, earning an impressive salary of $90 million, as reported by Forbes. Jordan’s unwavering determination to win at all costs was evident in the 2020 Netflix documentary, The Last Dance, which chronicled his career: “My innate personality is to win at all costs. If I have to do it myself, I’m going to do it.”
In 2003, Jordan bid farewell to the NBA for the third and final time, concluding a remarkable 15-season journey.
“I have given everything I could to the game,” he famously declared, as stated by the Chicago Tribune. “It’s time. I know it. I feel it.”
Aside from his earnings as a basketball superstar, Jordan has enjoyed significant financial gains from his lucrative deals with corporate giants such as Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade. Forbes reveals that his partnership with Nike alone generated an astonishing $2.4 billion (pre-tax), while his annual royalty checks contributed approximately $260 million to his total wealth in the past fiscal year.
Since 2014, Jordan’s net worth has tripled, catapulting him to the prestigious $3 billion mark.
This incredible increase is credited to his continuous revenue stream from Nike, along with a monumental deal finalized in August. The transaction involved selling a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets, his NBA franchise, which was valued at an astounding $3 billion.
Despite his unyielding pursuit of success, Jordan has not forgotten the significance of using his immense wealth for charitable causes. In 2020, he made a remarkable contribution of $100 million to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Moreover, on his 60th birthday in February, he bestowed a generous $10 million donation upon the Make-A-Wish Foundation, marking the largest individual contribution the organization has ever received.
Michael Jordan’s achievements as an NBA superstar transcend his basketball prowess. With his induction into Forbes’ list of the 400 Richest Americans, he solidifies his position among the elite echelons of financial success, while also exemplifying his commitment to philanthropy. As the iconic player continues to leave an indelible mark on the world, his legacy as a formidable athlete and a humanitarian continues to inspire the next generation.
