Top-Earning NBA Stars: A Ranking of the Wealthiest Basketball Players in History
In the world of basketball, the court is not the only arena where legends make their mark. Beyond their NBA salaries, the richest NBA players have built billion-dollar empires through lucrative endorsements, savvy business ownership, and smart investments. Here's a closer look at the diverse income streams of three of the league's wealthiest players: Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Magic Johnson.
Michael Jordan, a name synonymous with greatness on the basketball court, has also become a symbol of business acumen off it. His fortune was initially built upon buying Wendy's franchises, but it was his partnership with Nike that catapulted him to billionaire status. Jordan's lifetime deal with Nike, particularly through the Air Jordan brand, has earned him over $1 billion. His endorsements with McDonald's, Gatorade, Hanes, and others have added another $1.5 billion to his income.
LeBron James, the NBA's highest ever scorer and the richest active player, has a net worth of $1 billion. His major endorsement deals with Nike, Coca-Cola, Kia Motors, Beats by Dre, and others contribute hundreds of millions annually. James has also ventured into business, co-founding Blaze Pizza and engaging in numerous other endeavours.
Magic Johnson, with a net worth of $1.2 billion, has a diverse business empire focused on sport. He owns stakes in the LA Dodgers, LA Sparks, and Los Angeles FC, and also took over the NBA franchise The Charlotte Hornets in 2010, selling his majority stake in 2023, retaining a minority share. Johnson's investment firm, Magic Johnson Enterprises, is estimated to have holdings worth $1 billion.
Ulysses "Junior" Bridgeman, another NBA legend, has a net worth of $600 million. He built his fortune through buying Wendy's franchises, but his latest venture is Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Co., which operates 17 distribution centers and employs nearly 2,500 staff members. Bridgeman also owns Ebony and Jet, two magazine brands.
Shaquille O'Neal, known for his dominance on the court, has also made a name for himself in the business world. He has diversified into restaurant chains and tech startups, leveraging his brand and business foresight for additional wealth. O'Neal was an early investor in companies like Google and Apple and has backed innovative tech startups with impressive returns.
In essence, these NBA legends have turned their personal brands into billion-dollar empires, proving that success on the court can translate into success in the boardroom. Their wealth is a testament to the power of lucrative endorsements, savvy business ownership, and smart investments.
[1] Forbes. (2021). The World's Billionaires 2021. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/billionaires/ [2] Business Insider. (2021). The 10 richest NBA players in the world. Retrieved from https://www.businessinsider.com/richest-nba-players-2021-10
- Michael Jordan's business portfolio expands beyond the world of basketball, including a blog about his insights on sports, casino investments, and strategic business decisions.
- LeBron James, not only the NBA's highest scorer, but also an astute sports investor, has championed various sports-centric blog posts and owns a percentage of a sports team, which shares similarities with NBA's basketball franchise, the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers.
