$4.15B Michael Jordan's place atop highest-paid athletes ever has fans buzzing
Michael Jordan is one of the most popular players in the history of the NBA. He helped popularize the game around the world and became a global celebrity while leading the Chicago Bulls to six championships during his career. However, fans are surprised by just how well Jordan has done as a businessman.
According to Sportico, Jordan has been paid $4.15 billion throughout his career, more than $1 billion more than the second-highest paid athlete of all time, golf legend Tiger Woods.
Through the Jordan Brand, his stint as the owner of the Charlotte Hornets and the popularity of The Last Dance documentary, Jordan has been able to remain relevant even after walking away from the NBA for the final time in 2003.
LeBron James is the only other basketball player in the top 10, having racked up earnings of $1.49 billion.
The report had NBA fans rekindling the debate between him and LeBron James about who the greatest basketball player of all time is. One fan went as far as to say that LeBron will never reach the same level as Jordan.
"Jordan made most of his money off his shoes, thats some REAL 🐏💩, " commented one fan.
"He’s the GOAT. You know who he is! Big 23!" said another.
Some LeBron James fans defended the Lakers forward, saying that he will catch up to Jordan when things are said and done.
"LeBron gonna be #1 in like 10 years we not moved," commented one fan.
"LeBron wow 🐏," said another.
"...bro got a billion while still playing..." one LeBron fan pointed out.
Where does LeBron James stand when compared to Michael Jordan?
As the playoffs continue and LeBron James tries to capture his fifth NBA title, the comparisons between him and Michael Jordan have become more frequent. Both players have different arguments when it comes to the GOAT debate. LeBron James has played for seven more years than Jordan did in his career and is the game's all-time leading scorer, while Jordan has two more championships.
Both players have had a sizeable impact on the world outside of basketball. Both are popular Nike athletes with their own shoes and clothing lines, but Jordan's products have come to define a generation thanks to his popularity in the 1990s.
However, James' chase of Jordan isn't over. If he can win his fifth NBA championship alongside Luka Doncic and the Lakers, the conversation between him and the Chicago Bulls legend becomes that much more interesting.