Michael Jordan Becomes The First Athlete To Reach The Forbes 400 List

Michael Jordan is once again proving while he’s the goat. 

The retired Chicago Bulls superstar is now worth an impressive $3 billion, becoming the first athlete to grace Forbes’ list of 400 wealthiest Americans. Jordan occupies the 379th spot, up from his previous net worth of $1.7 billion. He ties with several others, such as Charles S. Cohen of Cohen Media Group and media mogul and composer Haim Saban, both of whom also have a $3 billion net worth. 

Jordan has earned a good chunk of his money through his long-running lucrative Nike deal, which produces his Air Jordan sneakers. The NBA standout inked the agreement on October 26, 1984, releasing the inaugural Air Jordan in April 1985. The five-year contract was worth $2.5 million at the time and was the largest sneaker deal given to a pro ball player at the time. Today, the Jordan Brand continues to bring in massive figures, earning $5.1 billion in 2022 alone. It has been reported that he made approximately $90 million in salary during his fifteen-year NBA career.

Additionally, Jordan purchased the Charlotte Hornets in 2010 for $275 million. This year, he sold his stake in the team for $3 billion, which was the second-highest team transaction in the NBA’s history, per the New York Post. The income doesn’t stop there. The 60-year-old also signed a 10-year agreement with Gatorade in 1991 that earned him $1.4 million yearly. In the 90s and early 2000s, Jordan appeared in several commercials for the beverage company. He also has a real estate portfolio that includes homes in Florida, North Carolina, Illinois, and Utah. 

Congratulations to Jordan on this major achievement.