Michael Jordan

Who is Michael Jordan?

There are lots of known figures today, celebrities, players, artist give their everything to be rich, to be known by everyone. But only some remains the legend and popular for the generation to generation. Today we are talking about Michael Jordan, who is a former professional basketball player, whose name and credits will be known to every generation who are interested in sports.

Michael Jordan is an American former basketball player. He is also known as the principal and owner of the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association.

Michael Jordan was born on 17th February 1963, New York City, where another basketball player Kent Bazemore was born. Born to his American parents James R. Jordan Sr. and Deloris, Jordan is of Afro-American ethnicity and holds American nationality.  

His father worked as an equipment supervisor and mother served as a banker. At his small age, Jordan's family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina. 

He grew up with two elder brothers, James R. Jordan Jr., Larry Jordan, one older sister Deloris and one younger sister named Roslyn Jordan.

Regarding his studies, Michael joined Emsley A. Laney High School located in Wilmington, where he began his athletic career by playing football, baseball, and basketball. Jordan tried the varsity team during his sophomore year. However, he was only 5 feet 11 inches, he was considered short to play at that level. 

Later Michael became the star of Laney's Junior varsity team and scored 40-points. After the match, Michael was recruited by many college basketball programs which include, South Carolina, Syracuse, Duke, and Virginia. In 1981, Jordan received basketball scholarship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and majored in cultural geography. 

From 1983 to 1984, Jordan signed out as HCCA College Player of the Year. Later he left the college to join the NBA in late 1984.

In the summer of 1984, Michael made appeared at the Olympics Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic basketball team. The team received a gold medal. 

Michael began his professional basketball career when he joined the Chicago Bulls in 1984. Jordan soon showed his skills and proved himself on the court. He assisted his team to make it to playoffs with an average stats of 28.2 points per game.

Moreover, in 1990, Chicago Bulls reached to Eastern Conference Finals and won their first-ever NBA championship defeating Los Angeles Lakers. 

In 1992, The Bulls defeated Portland Trail Blazers and won their second NBA championship. Amazingly, the following, Chicago Bulls received their third NBA championship title and dominated the basketball world.

Jordan played basketball for nineteen years and retired three times. Michael first retired in 1993, later in 1998, and finally in 2003.

Besides sports, Michael has been involved in endorsements too. He has worked with various brands like Nike, Chevrolet and Wheaties, Coca-Cola, Upper Deck, McDonald's and more to mention.

Is Michael Jordan Married or Single?

Michael has been married two times to date. Read below to seek into his personal life. 

Michael Jordan's First Spouse

Jordan tied the knot with Juanita Vanoy (ex-wife) in 1989. The couple shares a daughter Jasmine Jordan and two sons Jeffrey Michael Jordan and Marcus Jordan.

The couple began facing issues citing irreconcilable differences and filed for divorce on 4th January 2002. However, they reconciled after a short time. However, Michael and Vanoy again filed for divorce on 29th December 2006 citing the decision was made mutually. 

Juanita received $168 million as divorce annulment (worth $209 million as of 2019).

Michael Jordan's Second Spouse

In 2011, during Christmas, Jordan proposed his longterm girlfriend. She is a Cuban-American model Yvette Prieto. 

On 27th April 2013, Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto exchanged their vows. The wedding was held at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church. Since marriage, the duo shares an identical twin Ysabel and Victoria Jordan (born on 11th February 2014). 

Michael Jordan's relationship

On 21st July 2006, Cook County, Illinois' judge determined that Michael did not owe $5 million in a breach of contract claim to his ex-girlfriend Karla Knafel. Previously, Jordan paid Karla $250,000 to keep their relationship secret. 

However, Karla cited Michael promised her $5 million for keeping it secret and not to file a paternity suit after Knafel found out that she was pregnant. A later DNA test confirmed that Jordan was not the father of the child. 

Michael Jordan Net Worth

Michael Jordan is one of the prominent basket player in history, no doubt he makes a huge fortune. Jordan has made staggering money from his basketball career. Moreover, he also generates money from endorsements. 

Retired basketball now is a businessman and owner of the Charlotte Hornets of NBA. He has played 15 seasons in the NBA for Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls. 

Jordan is also known as the highest-paid athlete as of now and is ranked 4th is America's Wealthiest Celebrities. As of 2019, Jordan total net worth is estimated to be $1.9 billion. 

Career Earnings

In1984, Michael began his professional career and signed a 7-year contract with Chicago Bulls for $6.3 million. Meanwhile, Jordan's yearly salary was $845,000 with increment according to his performance.

In September 1998, Michael again signed 8-year contract with Chicago Bulls with $2 million annual salaries. Later, Michael's salary was increased to $2.25 million and $3.2 million in 1991. Till 1996, Michael had a salary of $3.8 million.

With his one year contract from 199-1997, Michael's yearly salary became $30.14 million and $33.14 million respectively making it the highest single-season NBA salary.

Later, Jordan signed $2 million contracts for two years with Washington Wizards in September 2001, with $1 million income every year. After the contract, Michael announced of his retirement as he amassed staggering $94 million fortune in his basketball career. 

Moreover, Jordan also appeared in the movie Space Jam and received $20 million. The movie grossed $230 million worldwide. 

Endorsements

Besides his basketball and acting, Michael also generates huge money from endorsements. Michael is mostly known for his slam dunk. After completing his high school, Jordan signed a 5-year contract for $2.5 million with Nike. 

Moreover, he also received $12.5 million from the deal with a shoemaker. Additionally, he signed a $200,000 contract with Chevrolet.

Michael had numerous deals offers. In 1998, he earned $2 million from Wheaties as endorsement deal, and the following year signed $10 million contracts with Hanes. He also made $13.5 million with Gatorade.

Overall, Nike has always been a great income source for Michael Jordan. From 2000-2012, he made around $480 million from the endorsement contract with Nike only. In addition, Jordan also received $18 million as an endorsement deal from Gatorade and $14 million from Hanes, along with $10.6 million from XEL.

In 2013, Jordan signed $90 million contracts with Nike, as the total earning of Michael in 2014-015 was estimated to be $100 million and $110 million respectively. According to the Forbes, Nike's one of the oldest endorsing partner Jordan was paid $100 million each year with its annual revenue $3 billion from Jordan Brand. 

Jordan's NBA team Charlotte Hornets

After seven years of retirement, Michael invested in the 89% stake of the NBA team, Charlotte Hornet in the year 2010. The same year, a majority stake was worth $175 million and after three years it was increased to $252 million.

Later, the average value of the team reached $367 million after the new TVdeal to add up an extra $57 million into its's co-offers every year and became $725 million by 2015.

In the end, the value of Jordan's 89% stake in the Hornets was reported t be $416 million in 2014, and making him a billionaire in 2015 with his $1 billion assets.

Michael Jordan Multi-million Mansion

Michael along with Yvette and their twin children lives in his luxury mansion in Charlotte. It is called the Lake House which was built in 1993 with a price tag of $3.49 million. However, Jordan negotiated and the 12,310 square-foot mansion and bought in $2.8 million.

The legendary basketball player also owns a lavish mansion in Chicago. In 1991, he purchased a plot in Highland Park and built a 56,000 sq-foot-house. It has 15 bathrooms, nine bedrooms, a cigar room, and a big garage. In March 2012, the house was listed for sale at $29 million. However, he could not sell the house in time, and the price value was degraded to $16 million.

Furthermore, Jordan owns a custom golf course which costs $12.8 million.

Michael Jordan's Cars, Private Jets, and Restaurants

Former Chicago Bulls player has a great taste in cars. Some of his car collection includes Chevrolet ZR1($130,000), Aston Martin DB9 Volante (price tag of $127,000), Ferrari 512 TR and Aston Martin DB7 Volante.

Additionally, he also owns a Mercedez-Benz SLR McLaren 722 which costs $497,450, and Mercedez-Benz Sl 55 AMG with a price tag of $100,000. Not only cars, but Jordan is also fond of motorbike too, as he owns a Ducati 999 which costs around $7260. One of the most expensive items in his private Gulfstream and jet, which is worth $41 million.

Talking about his personal business, Michael also owns seven restaurants. 

Michael Jordan Gambling Controversy

One of the interesting facts about Jordan's expenses, he was spotted gambling at Atlantic City, New Jersey in 1993. He lost $57,000 in the gamble and played more to recover his loss. 

Body Measurement (Height, Age, Weight) 

The Legendary basketball player is 56 years old as of 2019. He stands 6 feet 5 inches /  1.98 meters and weighs around 98kg / 216lbs.