Michael Jordan is the most famous and popular player in NBA history, and the Chicago Bulls legend has stayed winning off the court in retirement thanks to his endorsements
Michael Jordan retired from the NBA in 2003, calling time on his playing career while with the Wizards(Image: Getty Images)
NBA legend Michael Jordan continues to earn eye-watering sums beyond the likes of Tiger Woods and LeBron James despite retiring over 20 years ago.
Earlier this week, Sportico released its ranking of the top 100 highest-paid athletes of all time. Jordan is the wealthiest sportsperson in history, but the Chicago Bulls icon is still raking in the cash these days at an unprecedented rate – and remains the standard.
Last year, Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry earned $260 million and $154 million respectively from salaries, prize money, and endorsements. However, despite stepping off a court for the final time in 2003, Jordan sits atop the list.
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In 2024, Jordan earned an estimated $300 million. Nike is responsible for most of his earnings thanks to his iconic shoe deal, with the sum pushing his total career earnings to $3 billion since he turned pro in 1984.
When Jordan was a rookie and looking for a sneaker company to sign with, Adidas, Converse and Nike all jostled to add the budding superstar to their basketball lineup. Eventually, Nike beat out the competition to land Jordan though it took an incredible amount of work from the company to convince him – and the move has paid off for all parties.
When adjusting for inflation, Jordan has earned $4.15 billion. This means he is ahead of Woods ($2.79 billion) and James ($1.88 billion), his rival for the throne of NBA GOAT. Woods, who recently tore his Achilles, only featured in five competitive tournaments in 2024, missing the cut at three and withdrawing from another. But the American PGA Tour icon has still earned plenty of money across his illustrious career.
LeBron James’ Lakers are currently competing in the playoffs versus the Timberwolves(Image: Getty Images)
James and Ronaldo follow Woods closely. The duo are Nike athletes, with the Los Angeles Lakers phenom earning $48.73 million in salary alone alongside his widespread endorsements.
Like his peers, Jordan is also no stranger to multiple endorsements. He has established enduring relationships with brands like Gatorade where he has contributed to the brand’s marketing campaigns and solidified his status as an influential figure in sports endorsements.
Jordan also co-owns NASCAR team 23XI Racing alongside Denny Hamlin and has invested in the luxury tequila brand Cincoro to further diversify his portfolio. His ventures extend beyond sports, as he has also been involved with DraftKings and operates several restaurants, including Michael Jordan’s Steak House.
A six-time NBA champion and six-time Finals MVP with the Bulls, Jordan was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s. He concluded his career with the Washington Wizards before retiring in 2003, and dabbled in ownership with the Charlotte Hornets only to sell his majority stake for a reported $3 billion,
