Michael Jordan’s NBA Career Earnings
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as the greatest basketball player of all time.
The legacy that Michael Jordan left behind on the NBA hardwood is undeniable. His unprecedented accomplishments over 15 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards have cemented his place in the annals of basketball history. But what many people don’t know is just how much money Jordan actually earned over his illustrious NBA career.
His Salary and Contracts
Michael Jordan earned the maximum contract with the Wizards when he returned to the league in 2001 after a three-year break. He was given a two-year, $10 million deal. Perhaps his most lucrative deal of his career was a one-year $30 million contract with the Bulls in 1997-98.
Totals
When all the contracts, signings, and endorsements are taken into account, the NBA Hall of Fame player and six-time champion earned an estimated $90 million in salary and endorsements throughout his NBA career. By comparison, the average NBA career salary was around $7.2 million.
Other Earnings
Michael Jordan not only earned from his NBA salary and endorsements, but from appearing in movies, licensing deals, and memorabilia contracts, among other things. Moreover, his post-career earnings and business investments boosted his net worth even further.
Endorsements
By far the most influential off-court income for Michael Jordan was his endorsement deals. From Nike to Gatorade, Jordan signed endorsement deals that kept racking up the money. Let’s take a look at some of his biggest endorsement deals:
- Nike: Jordan’s most iconic and lucrative deal was with Nike in 1984. This deal alone was reportedly worth $500 million.
- Gatorade: Another one of Jordan’s biggest deals was with Gatorade. This deal was worth $13 million.
- Upper Deck: Jordan’s deal with Upper Deck was worth $9 million a year.
- Hanes: Jordan’s seven-year deal with the clothing company Hanes was estimated to be worth $14 million.
- 2K Sports: Jordan’s deal with 2K Sports was reportedly worth over $30 million.
Conclusion
As one of the greatest basketball players of all time, Michael Jordan earned a staggering amount of money over his 15 seasons in the NBA. His combination of salary, bonuses, endorsements, and licensing deals, pushed his NBA career earnings to an estimated $90 million. His post-career earnings and business investments boosted his net worth to more than $2.1 billion. That’s the power of being “The Michael Jordan”.
