From secret golf courses to a $3 million car, here's how Michael Jordan makes and spends his $1.6 billion fortune

Cork Gaines,Taylor Borden,Rachel Askinasi,Monica HumphriesJun 17, 2023, 22:09 IST

Michael Jordan's net worth is estimated at $1.6 billion, according to Forbes.Jordan Brand via Getty Images

Michael Jordan is considered the greatest NBA player of all time.
He's also the richest former professional athlete in the world with a net worth of $2 billion.
Since he retired in 2003, he has built a lucrative career and uses his wealth for philanthropic purposes.

Michael Jordan was already a billionaire, and now he just added to his fortune.

The NBA announced that Jordan was selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets for $3 billion. Not bad for the $275 million investment he initially made when he bought the club in 2010.

Jordan will keep a minority stake in the franchise.

Before the sale, Jordan was already living the high life. Below we take a look at how he has amassed his fortune and what he spends it on.

Jordan has an estimated net worth of $2 billion.

Michael Jordan attends a press conference for the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Air Jordan Shoe.Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

According to Forbes, Jordan's yearly earnings were roughly $145 million.

Elsa/Getty Images

As of 2015, he was reportedly making $100 million a year from Nike and Jordan Brand royalties alone.

For comparison, LeBron James was estimated to earn less than $90 million a year from salary, winnings, and endorsements.

Chris Szagola/AP Photo

Nike founder Phil Knight called signing Jordan the best decision he ever made, nabbing the NBA rookie for $250,000 a year in 1984.

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Jordan reportedly wanted to sign with Adidas in 1984, but they passed because they preferred NBA players who were 7 feet tall.

Daniel /Allsport

Nike's Jordan Brand alone now brings in roughly $3.6 billion in revenue each year.

NBA legend Michael Jordan holds up an autographed AJ19 shoe, the latest design in the Air Jordan shoe line, at a Hong Kong news conference.Anat Givon/AP Photo

And MJ's income now is way more than his total playing salary during his career.

The popularity of Air Jordans has resurged in recent years thanks to celebrity partnerships to connect to a younger audience and new versions of retro styles to reconnect to the older fans.

Rapper Rick Ross performs during his Port of Miami 2 Tour at The Fillmore on October 13, 2019, in Detroit, Michigan.Scott Legato/Getty Images

The popularity of Air Jordans has resurged in recent years thanks to celebrity partnerships to connect to a younger audience and new versions of retro styles to reconnect to the older fans.

Nike's Jordan Brand has even partnered with the popular video game 'Fortnite.'

"Fortnite" players can unlock two new skins, Grind and Clutch, by purchasing the Hang Time bundle."Fortnite"/Epic Games

Jordan became a billionaire in 2014 when the Charlotte Hornets' franchise value rose.

Abbie Parr/Getty Images

Jordan is still waiting for the day the Hornets win a championship. He has said that winning a championship as an owner would be more gratifying than any of the six rings he won as a player.

Jeff Haynes/Staff/Getty Images

Jordan is still waiting for the day the Hornets win a championship. He has said that winning a championship as an owner would be more gratifying than any of the six rings he won as a player.

MJ built his own golf course in 2019.

Michael Jordan loves gold so much, he built his own golf course in 2019.Isaac Brekken/Getty Images

The course has lavish amenities, including a drone delivery service that brings beer and other refreshments to the club's exclusive members.

A drone hovers in the sky.Richard Newstead/Getty Images

Jordan donated $2 million of his earnings from his docuseries "The Last Dance" to Feeding America's food banks in Chicago and the Carolinas.

Michael Jordan donated money to support communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.ESPN Films/Netflix/Mandalay Sports Media/NBA Entertainment

In 2020, Jordan and Nike's Jordan Brand pledged to donate $100 million over 10 years to organizations fighting for 'racial quality, social justice, and greater access to education.'

Michael Jordan is actively donating to organizations fighting for racial quality.Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

In 2020, Jordan and Nike's Jordan Brand pledged to donate $100 million over 10 years to organizations fighting for 'racial quality, social justice, and greater access to education.'

In March, Jordan was part of a $305 million investment in Dapper Labs, the startup behind virtual trading-card platform NBA Top Shot.

Dapper Labs has a $2.6 billion valuation after the round, a source close to the company said.NBA Top Shot

DraftKings announced in 2021 that Jordan took an equity stake in the sports betting company, along with a special adviser role.

AP Photo/Thibault Camus

He has several endorsement deals with companies like Gatorade ...

Ezra Shaw/Getty

... trading card company Upper Deck ...

Susan Ragan/AP Photo

... and Hanes. He's been a spokesman for the company for about 30 years.

YouTube/Hanes

He once rejected a huge endorsement deal with Beanee Weenees because he didn't like the name.

Amazon

He owns several restaurants including 1000 North in Jupiter, Florida ...

Lee L./Yelp

... Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, with locations in Connecticut, Washington, and Chicago ...

Steve Kagan/Contributor/Getty Images

... and Michael Jordan's Restaurant in Chicago, an upscale restaurant serving 'elevated American classics.'

Diana Q./Yelp

In 2019, Jordan and a team of four others created Cincoro tequila.

Michael Jordan's tequila company opened in 2019.Rachel Askinasi/Business Insider

He also owns a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina.

Nissan signs are seen outside a Nissan auto dealer in Broomfield, ColoradoGoogle Maps

In 2019, many billionaires lost money — but not Jordan. His net worth rose by $300 million.

Michael Jordan is known as the greatest basketball player of all time. He's also the richest.Jordan Brand via Getty Images

He has a private jet. It's painted Carolina blue, and the ID number contains his jersey number (23) and number of titles (6).

YouTube

Jordan even has a custom, Carolina-blue golf cart with the Jumpman logo.

@Jeff_Ritter

He spent $12.8 million building his dream house in Florida in 2012.

Google Maps

He also has a $2.8 million house near Charlotte.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/18227-Capstan-Greens-Rd_Cornelius_NC_28031_M59685-34239 and Getty Images

It has some incredible lake views.

Realtor

He's selling his compound in Chicago, which was originally listed for $29 million. The estate's gate is emblazoned with his jersey number.

A gate with the number 23 controls access to the home of basketball legend Michael Jordan.Concierge Auctions

But 10 years later, the house is still on the market and the price is down to $14.9 million.

Realtor.com

It has its own basketball court, as well as a pool with a patch of lawn in the middle of it.

Concierge Auctions

It is estimated that Jordan pays more than $100,000 in annual property taxes.

Zillow

In 2016, Jordan won a case against a Chinese sportswear company that was using his Chinese name.

Aly Song/Reuters

That's not the only lawsuit he's been involved in though pertaining to his name and branding.

Basketball Hall of Famer Michael Jordan arrives at the federal courthouse in Chicago, Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015.AP Photo/Christian K. Lee

In 2016, Jordan also pledged two large donations to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the International Association of Chiefs of Police's new Institute for Community-Police Relations.

Streeter Lecka/Getty

In 2016, Jordan also pledged two large donations to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the International Association of Chiefs of Police's new Institute for Community-Police Relations.

In 2018, he donated $2 million to Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

A convoy of utility trucks heading east to assist with damage caused by tropical storm Florence.AP Photo/Chris Seward

In 2019, he pledged $7 million to open two medical clinics in Charlotte.

Chuck Burton/AP

In the same year, Jordan teamed up with driver Denny Hamlin to become a NASCAR Cup Series team co-owner.

Bubba Wallace will make his debut on Michael Jordan's NASCAR team at the Daytona 500.Chris Graythen/Getty Images

Jordan has three children from his first marriage with Juanita Vanoy.

Pictured here is an old family photo shared by Jordan's daughter, Jasmine.Jasmine M. Jordan/Instagram

The pair married in 1989 and divorced in 2006. The 17-year marriage cost Jordan a whopping $168 million in the settlement.

Pictured above are Michael Jordan and his then-wife Juanita.Reuters

Jordan's three oldest children have all followed their father into the shoe business.

Jasmine M. Jordan/Instagram

Marcus, Jordan's second child, opened a boutique sneaker shop in Disney World called Trophy Room inspired by the trophy room in his house growing up.

Andy N./Yelp

Jordan married Yvette Prieto in 2013, and they welcomed twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, in 2014.

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Jordan has invested some of his fortune in tech startups.

Gigster cofounders Debo Olaosebikan, left, and Roger Dickey, right.Gigster

He was also a minority owner of an MLB team — the Miami Marlins — having been part of Derek Jeter's investment group.

Tony Ding/AP

Jordan is also a famous gambler.

John Swart/AP

He also used to play $100 post-practice shooting games that allegedly ruined Rodney McCray's career.

Pictured above is Rodney McCray.Jonathan Daniel /Allsport

He even took $500 from a fan at a charity golf tournament when the fan said Jordan couldn't land the ball on the green.

Isaac Brekken/Getty

And he reportedly cheated in some bets with his teammates to make sure he won.

John Swart/AP

He's also competitive at other kinds of games. He reportedly won $500 beating his business manager Estee Portnoy in sudoku.

greencolander/Shutterstock

Jordan started golf while at UNC in a threesome with his then-roommate and Davis Love III.

Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images

Jordan reportedly never travels overseas without a security team, which sets him back a cool $1,000 to $1,500 per hour.

Other travel setbacks include this 154-foot rented mega yacht named Mr. Terrible.

YouTube/zdoryan95

The yacht is complete with its own branding.

YouTube

The very first cars Jordan bought after he received his reported $10 million signing bonus from the Chicago Bulls were a collection of Mercedes and Pontiacs.

He bought his siblings a Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams, though the exact car is not pictured here.Steve Lagreca / Shutterstock

Since his rise to fame, he's been spotted in all kinds of cars, from Ferraris to Land Rovers.

BRIAN BAHR/Stringer/Getty Images

More recently, he purchased a $3 million Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster.

Jordan is well known for his love of cigars and told Cigar Aficionado magazine that he smokes six a day.

Donald Miralle/Getty Images

At age 60, he still works out.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

His post-basketball career is already influencing the next generation.

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

In addition to winning six NBA championships, Jordan has won other prestigious awards.

Carlos Barria/Reuters

Jordan has been a preferred meme for years — many still post this photo of Jordan crying during his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech all over social media.

Stephan Savoia/AP

Jordan has been a preferred meme for years — many still post this photo of Jordan crying during his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech all over social media.

Jordan provided a moment of levity at the memorial service for Kobe and Gigi Bryant in February 2020: 'Now he's got me — I'll have to look at another crying meme for the next three years.'

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Jordan provided a moment of levity at the memorial service for Kobe and Gigi Bryant in February 2020: 'Now he's got me — I'll have to look at another crying meme for the next three years.'

Now take a tour of the mansion Jordan can't sell.

Jordan's estate has been on the market since 2012.Concierge Auctions; Stephan Savoia/AP

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From secret golf courses to a $3 million car, here's how Michael Jordan makes and spends his $1.6 billion fortune

Jordan has an estimated net worth of $2 billion.

According to Forbes, Jordan's yearly earnings were roughly $145 million.

As of 2015, he was reportedly making $100 million a year from Nike and Jordan Brand royalties alone.

For comparison, LeBron James was estimated to earn less than $90 million a year from salary, winnings, and endorsements.

Nike founder Phil Knight called signing Jordan the best decision he ever made, nabbing the NBA rookie for $250,000 a year in 1984.

Jordan reportedly wanted to sign with Adidas in 1984, but they passed because they preferred NBA players who were 7 feet tall.

Nike's Jordan Brand alone now brings in roughly $3.6 billion in revenue each year.

And MJ's income now is way more than his total playing salary during his career.

The popularity of Air Jordans has resurged in recent years thanks to celebrity partnerships to connect to a younger audience and new versions of retro styles to reconnect to the older fans.

Nike's Jordan Brand has even partnered with the popular video game 'Fortnite.'

Jordan became a billionaire in 2014 when the Charlotte Hornets' franchise value rose.

Jordan is still waiting for the day the Hornets win a championship. He has said that winning a championship as an owner would be more gratifying than any of the six rings he won as a player.

MJ built his own golf course in 2019.

The course has lavish amenities, including a drone delivery service that brings beer and other refreshments to the club's exclusive members.

Jordan donated $2 million of his earnings from his docuseries "The Last Dance" to Feeding America's food banks in Chicago and the Carolinas.

In 2020, Jordan and Nike's Jordan Brand pledged to donate $100 million over 10 years to organizations fighting for 'racial quality, social justice, and greater access to education.'

In March, Jordan was part of a $305 million investment in Dapper Labs, the startup behind virtual trading-card platform NBA Top Shot.

DraftKings announced in 2021 that Jordan took an equity stake in the sports betting company, along with a special adviser role.

He has several endorsement deals with companies like Gatorade ...

... trading card company Upper Deck ...

... and Hanes. He's been a spokesman for the company for about 30 years.

He once rejected a huge endorsement deal with Beanee Weenees because he didn't like the name.

He owns several restaurants including 1000 North in Jupiter, Florida ...

... Michael Jordan's Steakhouse, with locations in Connecticut, Washington, and Chicago ...

... and Michael Jordan's Restaurant in Chicago, an upscale restaurant serving 'elevated American classics.'

In 2019, Jordan and a team of four others created Cincoro tequila.

He also owns a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina.

In 2019, many billionaires lost money — but not Jordan. His net worth rose by $300 million.

He has a private jet. It's painted Carolina blue, and the ID number contains his jersey number (23) and number of titles (6).

Jordan even has a custom, Carolina-blue golf cart with the Jumpman logo.

He spent $12.8 million building his dream house in Florida in 2012.

He also has a $2.8 million house near Charlotte.

It has some incredible lake views.

He's selling his compound in Chicago, which was originally listed for $29 million. The estate's gate is emblazoned with his jersey number.

But 10 years later, the house is still on the market and the price is down to $14.9 million.

It has its own basketball court, as well as a pool with a patch of lawn in the middle of it.

It is estimated that Jordan pays more than $100,000 in annual property taxes.

In 2016, Jordan won a case against a Chinese sportswear company that was using his Chinese name.

That's not the only lawsuit he's been involved in though pertaining to his name and branding.

In 2016, Jordan also pledged two large donations to the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the International Association of Chiefs of Police's new Institute for Community-Police Relations.

In 2018, he donated $2 million to Hurricane Florence relief efforts.

In 2019, he pledged $7 million to open two medical clinics in Charlotte.

In the same year, Jordan teamed up with driver Denny Hamlin to become a NASCAR Cup Series team co-owner.

Jordan has three children from his first marriage with Juanita Vanoy.

The pair married in 1989 and divorced in 2006. The 17-year marriage cost Jordan a whopping $168 million in the settlement.

Jordan's three oldest children have all followed their father into the shoe business.

Marcus, Jordan's second child, opened a boutique sneaker shop in Disney World called Trophy Room inspired by the trophy room in his house growing up.

Jordan married Yvette Prieto in 2013, and they welcomed twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel, in 2014.

Jordan has invested some of his fortune in tech startups.

He was also a minority owner of an MLB team — the Miami Marlins — having been part of Derek Jeter's investment group.

Jordan is also a famous gambler.

He also used to play $100 post-practice shooting games that allegedly ruined Rodney McCray's career.

He even took $500 from a fan at a charity golf tournament when the fan said Jordan couldn't land the ball on the green.

And he reportedly cheated in some bets with his teammates to make sure he won.

He's also competitive at other kinds of games. He reportedly won $500 beating his business manager Estee Portnoy in sudoku.

Jordan started golf while at UNC in a threesome with his then-roommate and Davis Love III.

Jordan reportedly never travels overseas without a security team, which sets him back a cool $1,000 to $1,500 per hour.

Other travel setbacks include this 154-foot rented mega yacht named Mr. Terrible.

The yacht is complete with its own branding.

The very first cars Jordan bought after he received his reported $10 million signing bonus from the Chicago Bulls were a collection of Mercedes and Pontiacs.

Since his rise to fame, he's been spotted in all kinds of cars, from Ferraris to Land Rovers.

More recently, he purchased a $3 million Hennessey Venom F5 Roadster.

Jordan is well known for his love of cigars and told Cigar Aficionado magazine that he smokes six a day.

At age 60, he still works out.

His post-basketball career is already influencing the next generation.

In addition to winning six NBA championships, Jordan has won other prestigious awards.

Jordan has been a preferred meme for years — many still post this photo of Jordan crying during his 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech all over social media.

Jordan provided a moment of levity at the memorial service for Kobe and Gigi Bryant in February 2020: 'Now he's got me — I'll have to look at another crying meme for the next three years.'

Now take a tour of the mansion Jordan can't sell.