The olden and golden seasons of the NBA in the 90s are widely revered by basketball fans as one of the most memorable eras consisting of pure legends that are forever imprinted in the NBA history. NBA Championship from 1990 to 2000 was always an event full of thrill, drama, and excitement, culminating with the finals to remember – all because of the most talented players whose net worth has skyrocketed since then. Let us learn how and to what extent by taking a look at a few of them.
Michael Jordan
This basketball legend currently has a net worth of $2.6 billion, which is probably the upper standard for all other NBA players. Thanks to his skill and talent, Michael Jordan brought six NBA championship titles to the Chicago Bulls, having earned an MVP title five times.
Not unbeknownst to many, Jordan’s financial abundance didn’t derive from his NBA income even though it amounted to more than $500 million in salary – which is one of the highest NBA salaries ever. $30 million per year — he was an undeniable pioneer in this sense. As the seasons came by, his salary went up due to inflation and would be equal to today’s $53.4 million.
Even after his professional career on the court, Michael did not stop being at the top of his financial peak. His celebrity status and endorsement deals have contributed to his current earnings of $1.4 billion in total. Despite having been retired from basketball for about two decades now, Jordan keeps making a solid number – $100 million per year – all owing to his endorsement campaigns and numerous business partnerships. It is worth noting that his current off-court salary is way more compared to his 16-NBA-seasons one.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Jr.
Magic Johnson Jr. is another former NBA player with a remarkable career path. To date, he is an entrepreneur with a net worth estimated to $800 million. The Los Angeles Lakers were his starting point in his basketball 13-year career, which ended in 1991 due to his health condition (HIV diagnosis) and was then revitalized in 1996 for a short period of time. Johnson was a 3-time MVP title holder, proving his on-court versatility and strength against his NBA rival Larry Bird.
Johnson’s retirement from basketball only gave rise to his entrepreneurial career as he became a founder of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company that invests into healthcare, entertainment, and real estate. His business and philanthropic ambitions were marked by his partnership with Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz aimed to improve deprived areas by opening Starbucks stores there, which led to an increase in employment rate and gentrification. In the healthcare industry, Johnson promotes HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaigns.
Furthermore, Johnson has largely contributed to several sports franchises such as the Los Angeles Sparks and the Los Angeles Dodgers of the WNBA.
If you have not got to watch the second season of the HBO series “Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”, you will be surprised to learn that Magic Johnson was offered a collaboration with Nike in the late 1970s, but turned it down. In that case, his net worth might have been even bigger than Jordan’s.
