Michael Jordan likely made more than double his career NBA salary earnings in 2022 alone — thanks to a decades-old licensing deal.
Nike’s Jordan Brand brought in $5.1 billion in fiscal 2022, and his Airness pockets a reported 5% of that under his deal with Nike. The athlete and apparel company initially linked up in 1984, his rookie year.
- Based on those figures, Jordan may have earned $256.1 million last year from licensing his name to Nike. His net worth is $1.7 billion, per Forbes.
- Jordan Brand revenue hit $4.8 billion in 2021, up 31% from the previous year’s $3.6 billion.
- The NBA legend and owner of the Charlotte Hornets made $90 million in salary over his NBA career.
Jordan Brand earned $19.4 billion in revenue over the last five fiscal years, a fact initially noted by Neon Money Club.
Big Screen Deal
The relationship between Jordan and Nike has been made into a feature film, directed by Ben Affleck, who also plays Nike co-founder Phil Knight. The story will focus on how Nike’s nascent basketball department signed Jordan in his rookie year, a deal that became perhaps the most lucrative athlete-brand partnership in history.
The movie, titled “AIR” and produced by Amazon Studios, will premiere globally in theaters on April 5.
![[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 26, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Former basketball player Michael Jordan watches during the four-balls on the first day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.](https://frontofficesports.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/USATSI_27174110_168416386_lowres-scaled.jpg?quality=100&w=1024)
