Michael Jordan net worth has drawn attention not just from ardent basketball fans but also from general sports enthusiasts.
One of the greatest athletes of all time, Jordan has built a lasting legacy in the basketball world, continuing to inspire young and aspiring athletes even in retirement.
In 2024, Michael Jordan net worth has reached remarkable heights, and in this article, SportsBuddy explores the basketball legend’s vast wealth, personal life, achievements, and other interesting facts about him.
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Who is Michael Jordan?
Michael Jeffrey Jordan—also referred to by his initials MJ—is an American businessman, philanthropist, and former basketball player.
He established himself as one of the greatest players in NBA history by winning six titles with the Chicago Bulls over his 15-year career, which ran from 1984 to 2003.
Michael Jordan Background: Birth, Education and Early Life
Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, at Cumberland Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, to James R. Jordan Sr., an equipment supervisor, and Deloris, a bank employee.
Raised in Wilmington, North Carolina after his family moved to the region in 1968, he attended Emsley A. Laney High School, excelling in basketball, baseball, and football.
Although he faced difficulties gaining entry into the basketball varsity team during his sophomore year, as he was deemed too short, he later made the team during his senior years after gaining some inches during his senior year.
Upon earning a spot on the varsity roster, Jordan excelled, averaging over 25 points per game in his final two high school seasons and earning selection for the 1981 McDonald’s All-American Game, where he scored 30 points.
After receiving offers from prestigious collegiate basketball teams, Jordan accepted a scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina in 1981, majoring in cultural geography, drawn to its connection with meteorology, as he had an interest in becoming a meteorologist.
Jordan won ACC Freshman of the Year as a freshman under coach Dean Smith, averaging 13.4 points per game. He made the game-winning shot against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA Championship, which he later described as a significant event.
Prior to entering the 1984 NBA Draft, he won the Naismith and Wooden trophies and was named to the NCAA All-American First Team in 1983 and 1984.
In 1986, Jordan went back to finish his geography degree, and he was later selected for the ACC 50th Anniversary men’s basketball team, which honored the 50 best players in the conference.
Michael Jordan professional career and achievements
The Early Years and Basketball Dominance
Drafted into the NBA by the Chicago Bulls, Jordan quickly established himself as one of the league’s biggest stars.
Renowned for his athleticism, competitive spirit, and scoring prowess, he won Finals MVP awards each time he guided the Bulls to six NBA championships (1991–1993, 1996–1998).
He also received five regular-season MVP trophies, eleven scoring crowns, and a host of other honors.
The Baseball interlude
In 1993, at the peak of his basketball career, Jordan abruptly retired to pursue a career in baseball.
He signed with the Chicago White Sox’s minor league affiliate, the Birmingham Barons. Despite his athleticism, Jordan struggled to adapt to the demands of professional baseball. He played two seasons in the minor leagues before returning to the NBA in 1995.
The second coming and final years
Jordan’s return to the NBA in 1995 was met with immense excitement.
He led the Bulls to three more championships (1996-1998), solidifying his legacy as the greatest basketball player of all time.
After retiring for a second time in 1998, he briefly returned to the NBA with the Washington Wizards from 2001 to 2003.
Jordan played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, in Philadelphia, according to Wikipedia.
Michael Jordan, basketball earnings, businesses and investments
Michael Jordan earned approximately $90 million million during his NBA career, a substantial amount as of then.
Jordan also bagged lucrative deals and during is playing careers including ones with Coca-cola, McDonald’s, partnerships with Nike, and GERTOrades, which are still active till now.
Michael Jordan’s investment with the Charlotte Hornets
On June 15, 2006, Michael Jordan purchased a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats (renamed the Hornets in 2013), becoming the second-largest shareholder after majority owner Robert L. Johnson.
His investment of $175 million to $275 million in 2010 helped make him a billionaire, according to Axios. In 2019, Forbes reported that Jordan sold a minority stake in the team in a deal valued at $1.5 billion.
Michael Jordan’s partnership with Nike
The decades-long collaboration between Nike and Michael Jordan has revolutionized sports branding and marketing. Since Jordan’s first Nike contract in 1984, the iconic Air Jordan brand has expanded to become a worldwide hit, and Jordan now receives a portion of the brand’s yearly sales.
Deloris Jordan, his mother, played a key role in the negotiations that led to the establishment of one of the most significant sports brands.
The 2023 movie Air, which stars Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Viola Davis as Jordan’s mother, tells the tale of this collaboration.
Rekindled Partnership with Gertorade
Michael Jordan and Gatorade have a storied partnership that dates back to the height of his basketball career. The iconic “Be Like Mike” campaign, launched in the early 1990s, solidified their connection.
In a historic move, the duo has reunited in 2023, reigniting the legendary partnership and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
Other investments
Michael Jordan has expanded his investments into a number of different businesses in addition to his profitable collaboration with Nike and his previous controlling ownership of the Hornets.
Together with driver Denny Hamlin, he is the co-owner of the $150 million NASCAR team 23XI. Jordan is also a special advisor to DraftKings, a sports betting startup in which he owns stock.
Jordan and four other NBA owners co-founded the upscale tequila company Cincoro in the alcohol sector. Cincoro, which ranges in price from $300 to over $4,500 for limited editions, has sold over 1.5 million bottles nationwide since its debut and won 23 accolades.
Jordan’s investment portfolio is further expanded by his ownership of other restaurants.
Michael Jordan net worth
Michael Jordan net worth comprises his NBA salary, lucrative partnership deals with companies such as Nike and Gatorade, and royalties from his Jordan Brand.
As of November 2024, Michael Jordan net worth is valued at $3.5 billion, according to Forbes, making him the wealthiest sportsman on earth.
Michael Jordan charity activities
Michael Jordan has made significant contributions throughout the years, despite not being as openly charitable as some other superstars. Highlights of his philanthropic endeavors include:
Make-A-Wish Foundation
In 2023, Michael Jordan made a record-breaking $10 million donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, marking the largest individual gift in the organization’s history.
A long-time supporter, Jordan has granted hundreds of wishes to children with critical illnesses, underscoring his dedication to the foundation’s mission.
Other Charitable Efforts
Jordan’s philanthropy extends to education and youth development initiatives, including support for the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
He has also contributed to disaster relief efforts, such as aiding recovery after Hurricane Katrina. Known for his quiet approach to giving, Jordan often prefers to make donations without public recognition.
Michael Jordan wife and children
Michael Jordan has been married twice. He first wed Juanita Vanoy, with whom he shares three children: Justin, Marcus, and Jasmine.
In 2013, he married his longtime girlfriend Yvette Prieto, and the couple later welcomed twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel.
