Before Playing a Single Game in the League, $7 Million Deal Helped Michael Jordan Earn More Money Than Any Other NBA Star

Apart from being one of the greatest players ever to play the game, Michael Jordan is also the richest athlete ever, dwarfing his competitors. Jordan is best known for two things, his days with the Chicago Bulls in the 90s and his iconic shoe brand. The former created a life-long legacy that cemented him among the game’s greats. On the other hand, the latter made him a fortune worth over a billion dollars.

After going 6-0 in the NBA finals and dominating the league for over a decade, Michael Jordan drove off into the sunset, leaving a gaping void of ‘His Airness.’ Though the fans could no longer witness his out-of-world talent on the court, off-the-court Jordan’s fire continued to burn brighter than ever through his brand. The same brand that has netted him boatloads over the years had once made him the richest player in the league despite not playing a single minute on the court.

Michael Jordan was the wealthiest star in the league despite not playing a single game

Coming out of UNC, Michael Jordan was one of the most touted prospects at the time. His college campaign heralded him to the top of the national rankings, and he was the hottest player going into the NBA draft. However, contrary to popular belief, the battle over who would get to sign the young guard did not involve corporate warfare or underhand plots. Instead, it was a pretty lackluster affair.

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Jordan had three options, Adidas, Converse, and Nike. However, due to complications and other commitments, a deal never went through with the former two. At the end of the day, Jordan was left with only one option; the failing company Nike which viewed him as their saving grace. Regardless, Jordan inked a contract with Nike, and as they say, the rest is history.

Jordan’s five-year contract with Nike paid him $500,000 annually, totaling an impressive $2.5 Million. However, when you also include the stock options Jordan received, the contract was worth over $7 Million. That amount was more money than any NBA player was making in the league. Moreover, Jordan had not played a single minute on an NBA court.

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MJ’s partnership with Nike grew bigger and stronger gradually. Over the years, the partnership has netted him over $1.5 Billion, forming a major chunk of his net worth. According to sources, Michael Jordan has a net worth of over $1.7 Billion, making him the richest athlete ever.