Although there are a lot of feeble attempts made every week by fans, media members, and un-informed wannabe opinionists to make a case for someone else, it’s just impossible to argue that Michael Jordan is in a class all his own.
On multiple levels, especially in career earnings.
The sports business website Sportico published a detailed report on the highest-paid athletes of all time, and the findings were fascinating and predictable.
Michael Jordan earned more money on and off the court than any athlete in history, which is not surprising, but the distance between MJ and the rest of the list is staggering. Sportico estimates Jordan had made $2.62 billion in earnings after turning pro in 1984 when the Chicago Bulls drafted him. Michael officially retired from the NBA in 2003, but he’s been printing money ever since he hung up his Air Jordans.
In 2021, Sportico estimates he made $150 million in royalties from Nike. He also has numerous other endorsement deals still paying seven figures, he founded a NASCAR team with Denny Hamlin, and of course, he is the Charlotte Hornets owner.
Forbes said Jordan officially became a billionaire in 2014, the first NBA player to hit that milestone.
Trailing Michael on the all-time earnings list is Tiger Woods at $2.1 billion, Arnold Palmer at $1.5 billion, Jack Nicklaus with $1.38 billion, and Cristiano Ronaldo at $1.24 billion.
Michael has come a long way, considering the first contract he signed in 1984 with the Bulls was for seven years and $6.3 million.
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