Michael Jordan: Businessman, Jordan Brand and Hornets Owner
Business Owner · Sports & Entertainment
Michael Jordan turned six NBA titles into a business empire: Jordan Brand generates about $1 billion in sales for Nike, and he became the NBA's first billionaire player in 2014.
About Michael Jordan: Businessman, Jordan Brand and Hornets Owner
Michael Jeffrey Jordan (born February 17, 1963), known by his initials MJ, is an American businessman, former professional basketball player and former baseball player. He played 15 seasons in the NBA between 1984 and 2003, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls, and is considered by many the greatest basketball player of all time, having been integral in popularizing the sport and the league worldwide in the 1980s and 1990s. He was drafted third overall by the Bulls in 1984 after being named national college player of the year at North Carolina, and his leaping ability earned him the nicknames "Air Jordan" and "His Airness". Away from the court, Jordan has built one of the most valuable brands in sport. According to Forbes, Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike. In June 2014 he became the first NBA player to be a billionaire after raising his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%, and the Charlotte Business Journal named him its Business Person of the Year for 2014. In 2017 he became a part owner of the Miami Marlins. He co-owns an automotive group bearing his name, with a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina, acquired in 1990, and has owned restaurants. Forbes named him the athlete with the highest career earnings in 2017, and his 2015 income of about $110 million was the most of any retired athlete. As of 2026 Forbes estimated his net worth at $4.3 billion, making him the fourth-richest African-American, and in April 2026 Sportico ranked him the highest-paid athlete in history, with earnings estimated at $4.5 billion adjusted for inflation. Sources: English Wikipedia (Michael Jordan, accessed September 2026).
Basic Information
Businessman; Jordan Brand (Nike); former majority owner, Charlotte Hornets
Company Details
Jordan Brand / Charlotte Hornets
Sports, Apparel, Automotive Retail