Michael Jordan

From Cut From Varsity to Greatest Basketball Player of All Time

sports business
Michael Jordan

Net Worth

$3.2B

Born

February 17, 1963 (age 63)

Country

United States

Occupation

Former Basketball Player, Businessman

Gender

male

Generation

Boomer

Marital Status

married

Children

5

Single Parent Household

No

Education

Bachelor's

University

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Industries

sports, business

Wealth Category

billionaire

Wealth Origin

self-made

First-Gen Wealth

Yes

Overcame

  • • Cut from varsity basketball team as a high school sophomore
  • • Not heavily recruited out of high school
  • • Faced criticism for being too individualistic early in NBA career
  • • Lost father to murder in 1993

Michael Jordan is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls. He is widely considered the greatest basketball player of all time. His partnership with Nike created the Air Jordan brand, which generates billions in annual revenue and made him a billionaire.

Career Timeline

1963

Born in Brooklyn, New York; raised in Wilmington, North Carolina

1978 Age 15
Setback

Cut from varsity basketball team as a sophomore

1982 Age 19
Milestone

Hit game-winning shot to win NCAA championship for UNC

1984 Age 21
Milestone

Drafted 3rd overall by Chicago Bulls; signed with Nike

1984 Age 21
Milestone

Air Jordan brand launched

1988 Age 25
Achievement

Won first MVP award and Slam Dunk Contest

1991 Age 28
Milestone

Won first NBA championship

1993 Age 30
Setback

Father James Jordan murdered; retired from basketball

1995 Age 32
Milestone

Returned to basketball with two-word press release: 'I'm Back'

1996 Age 33
Milestone

Led Bulls to 72-10 season; won fourth championship

1998 Age 35
Milestone

Hit 'The Last Shot' to win sixth championship

2001 Age 38
Turning Point

Came out of retirement to play for Washington Wizards

2006 Age 43
Turning Point

Became part-owner of Charlotte Bobcats

2010 Age 47
Milestone

Became majority owner of Charlotte Bobcats

2014 Age 51
Milestone

Became first billionaire NBA player

Notable Quotes

"I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

— Nike Commercial, 1997

"I can accept failure, everyone fails at something. But I can't accept not trying."

— Interview, 2001

"Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen."

— Interview, 1998

"Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."