Michael Jordan, the Chicago Bulls legend, is a sports figure like no other. His effect on the NBA and basketball culture is enormous.
Not only is he a legend in the game, but his name is also connected with his namesake shoe company, which is the hottest name in the sneaker market. As one critic puts it, “Frankly, the show that is MJ is very simply unmatchable.”
Jordan’s success in both basketball and business has made him a billionaire, and his earning potential puts him in a league of his own. According to a list of the Highest Paid Athletes of All-Time, Jordan leads the way by a huge margin. He has amassed $3.3 billion in career earnings, leaving Tiger Woods in a distant second with $2.5 billion, and an $800 million margin between them.
Jordan’s worth, especially his name, is mind-blowing. He earned more than $33 million in the 1997-98 season alone, which was more than most superstar-level athletes make in their entire career.
Even more astonishing are his revenues with the Jordan Brand and Nike, which tally up to well over $1.8 billion. If we were to place him on the same ranking with only his Nike profits, he would rank third.
Jordan has thrived as an athlete and entrepreneur
Jordan’s success as an athlete and business has made him a worldwide legend. His legacy is not only about his brilliance on the court, but also his commercial savvy, which has enabled him to develop a brand that has endured past his playing days.
As MJ himself noted, “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots throughout my career. I’ve lost over 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again throughout my life. And that is why I succeed.”
In conclusion, Jordan’s success as an athlete and businessman has established a benchmark that many athletes want to follow. As one journalist puts it, “every athlete in the world aspires to ‘be like Mike’.” His effect on the world of athletics and business is unprecedented, and his name will long be synonymous with greatness and achievement.
