Michael Jordan – Nike Air Jordan, Estimated $60 Million a Year
NBA legend Michael Jordan signed a 5-year shoe deal with Nike in 1984 that included $500,000 a year plus royalties. Fast forward 33 years, and the retired basketball player still earns an estimated $60 million a year from his Air Jordan royalties. Jordan’s Nike shoe deal was one of the most lucrative deals in sports history to both Jordan and the brand itself.
The first billionaire athlete, Michael, is considered to be the greatest player of all-time in the NBA. Not only that, but he is also the richest former professional athlete in the world.
