Michael Jordan’s Net Worth is $3.5 Billion: Jumpman’s Jackpot
You’ve probably watched those sweet throwback clips, caught the fresh highlights, or even binged that docuseries The Last Dance—all showcasing the slam-dunk king himself, Michael Jordan. His Airness is instantly recognizable—even his silhouette is more famous than a majority of today’s celebrities. But MJ was more than just a celeb on the court, the man is an icon, even to many who have never watched a basketball game.
As of 2023, Jordan sits pretty with a $2 billion net worth. Not bad for a player who retired in 2003. Of course, it wasn’t all sports that brought him into the billionaire’s club. He slam-dunked in the boardroom too (sounds cheesy but it’s true). From endorsement deals to wagering it smart with investments, his bulging bank balance goes a long way in showing just how competitive and business savvy he really is. He didn’t just play to win – he lived to win.
| Name | Michael Jeffrey Jordan |
| Profession | Professional Basketball Player (Retired), Businessman |
| Net Worth | $2 Billion |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Birthday | February 17, 1963 (Aquarius) |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Relationship Status | Married to Yvette Prieto |
The Ascent: From Brooklyn Roots to Bullish Leaps
Michael Jordan was born on February 17, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, James and Deloris, had a total of five kids, with Michael wedged in the middle. He attracted eyeballs in college for his unreal basketball skills at the University of North Carolina, even nabbing Freshman of the Year honors, thanks to a killer last-minute shot that won them a national championship.
By his junior year, Jordan was dubbed the national player of the year, and that’s when everyone realized he was ready for the NBA. When the 1984 NBA draft rolled around, the Chicago Bulls didn’t waste any time snagging him as their third overall pick. Drafted above him? Akeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie.
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Despite not going first, Jordan had everything: uber-athletic jumps, unbeatable defense, and the instincts of a champion. This was the birth of the Jordan era. He wasn’t just a basketball player anymore; he was THE basketball player.
Jordan’s Cash Rain in the Court
What Michael Jordan made on the NBA court is enough to make your eyes pop. For the 1997-98 season, he pocketed $33 million! And that’s just for a single season. To put that into perspective, it’s more than what many players make in their entire careers.
His NBA salary was just the tip of the iceberg. MJ got to cash in big time, thanks to a flood of endorsements. Companies like Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, McDonald’s, and Upper Deck helped his bank account grow exponentially. Classic case in point: in ’84, Nike dropped the Air Jordans, a sneaker line that revolutionized shoes (and indeed, endorsements). This deal with Nike later gave birth to the Jordan Brand, which, just last fiscal year made $5.1 billion, leading to an insane royalty check of $256 million for Jordan.
And here’s the kicker: When he first teamed up with Nike, Jordan was guaranteed $500K a year, along with royalties—a deal unheard of before then. Even now, Jordan deals in percentages, taking home a cool 5% royalty of the Jordan brand’s earnings.
An Empire Beyond the Court: Jordan’s Diverse Wealth Portfolio
Michael Jordan crushed it on the court, but what you may not know is how he’s been totally nailing it in the world of business too. His slam dunks started filling up his bank balance, but diversifying his income was what really launched MJ into that eye-watering billionaire club.
In 2020, Jordan took his competitive streak into the boardroom, becoming an adviser and investor at DraftKings, the sports betting company. That same year, he got into the fast-paced world of NASCAR, co-owning the 23XI team, adding even more sparkle to his investment portfolio.
Then, when it comes to having a hands-on role in one’s business affairs, nothing showcases Jordan’s investment smarts quite like the Charlotte Hornets. He laid out $275 million to snag the team in 2010. This move turned out to be a money-multiplying masterstroke, proving that Jordan knew basketball both as a sport and a business. He sold his majority stake in 2023, reportedly netting $2bn.
Not one to stop at sports, Jordan popped his entrepreneur cap on and set up his steakhouse, Michael Jordan’s Steak House, in ’93. With branches now in Illinois, Connecticut, and Washington, Michael’s “stake” in the restaurant world is considerable. And, to wash down that slab of beef, why not sample some of his tequila? In 2019, he and four other NBA team owners launched Cincoro. As of today, the liquor is still going strong.
Living Large: Jordan’s Possessions and Generosity
If you’ve got the kind of dough that Michael Jordan has, snagging some seriously swanky stuff from around the globe is no big deal. Over time, MJ’s splashed some major cash on killer pads and luxury wheels.
The real jewels in Jordan’s crown? His real estate. In 2013, he bought a $2.8-million lakefront property in North Carolina and a $12.8-million mansion in Jupiter, Florida. Then there’s his ritzy penthouse in the heart of Charlotte and a plush pad in the ski town of Park City. We didn’t even know he skied!
Cars, you ask? Yes, he’s got ’em. In fact, he’s got everything from an ’84 Chevrolet Corvette C4 ($11,550) to a jaw-dropping 2023 Hennessey Venom F5 Revolution Roadster that cost him $3.5M–$4M.
But the luxe doesn’t stop on land. Jordan’s got his sea legs firmly planted on his $8-million fishing yacht and two epic super yachts, Joy and M’Brace, that cost him $80 million and $115 million respectively.
He’s got land and sea covered, but what about air? He’s got that covered, too, with a custom, tricked-out private Gulfstream G-IV that set him back a cool $61 million.
Now, MJ isn’t just about populating land, sea, and air with his private properties. He’s also known for giving back. He’s donated millions to Friends of the Children, a group working to promote expansion work in Charlotte and Chicago. He also gave $2 million to help out in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence in 2018, and $7 million in 2017 to fund health clinics in Charlotte.
Beyond the Spotlight: Michael Jordan’s Personal Life
Despite the crazy amounts of money being bandied about in this article, MJ’s personal life is actually relatively normal. At the heart of it is his family. and it’s all about family.
Love was on the horizon for Michael when he married Juanita Vanoy in ’89. They started their own family with kids Jeffrey, Marcus, and Jasmine (People). Sadly things didn’t work out, and they went their separate ways in 2006.
But don’t worry, it’s not all heartbreak. Jordan found love again and got hitched with Yvette Prieto in 2013, kickstarting a new chapter in his life story. In 2014, the Jordan family got a little bigger with the arrival of twin girls: Victoria and Isabell.
that time mariah made michael jordan cry
pic.twitter.com/6Cx19bmZvZ— Mariah Carey Today (@mariahtodaynet) September 21, 2023
Jordan’s Life Off the Court: Major Events and Controversies
Michael Jordan’s world was shaken in 1993 when his father, James Jordan Sr., was murdered. Such was the impact on Michael life that he removed himself from the world of basketball that same year. His father had been present for so much of his son’s career that, we assume, to forge ahead without him would be too much for Michael.
After he returned to the game, Jordan found himself tangled up in some drama with teammate Steve Kerr ahead of the 1995–96 season. A heated exchange during scrimmage led to Jordan punching Kerr. It was a hot topic in the media, but the two teammates got passed the tussle and, Kerr says, solidified their mutual trust.
In 1996, MJ was caught up in a storm around Nike’s questionable labor practices. He remained tight-lipped on the issue, though there was no end to the debate regarding celebrities’ responsibilities for the brands they endorse.
