NBA superstar Michael Jordan continues to rake in staggering sums, surpassing the likes of Tiger Woods and LeBron James, despite hanging up his boots over two decades ago. Sportico recently unveiled its list of the top 100 highest-earning athletes of all time, with Jordan not only topping the list as the richest sportsman ever but also continuing to amass wealth at an unparalleled rate.

In 2024 alone, the Chicago Bulls legend pocketed an estimated $300 million (£237m), primarily from his iconic shoe deal with Nike, pushing his total career earnings since turning professional in 1984 to a whopping $3 billion (£2.37bn). Last year, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and basketball player Stephen Curry earned $260 million (£205m) and $154 million (£121m) respectively from salaries, prize money, and endorsements.

However, Jordan, who last played professionally in 2003, still leads the pack. When he was a rookie, Adidas, Converse, and Nike were all vying to sign him.

Eventually, Nike won the race, although it took considerable effort on their part to persuade him. The move has proven to be mutually beneficial.

When inflation is taken into account, Jordan's earnings total a staggering $4.15 billion (£3.27 billion), putting him ahead of both Woods ($2.79 billion/£2.20 billion) and James ($1.88 billion/£1.48 billion) in the race for the title of NBA's Greatest Of All Time. Despite suffering an Achilles tear and only participating in five competitive tournaments in 2024, American golfing legend Woods has still amassed a considerable fortune throughout his illustrious career.

Hot on Woods' heels are James and Ronaldo, both of whom are Nike athletes. The LA Lakers superstar raked in $48.73 million (£38.42 million) in salary alone last year, not to mention his numerous endorsement deals.

Jordan, like his contemporaries, has also cashed in on multiple endorsements. He's built lasting partnerships with brands such as Gatorade, contributing to their marketing campaigns and cementing his status as a major player in sports endorsements.

In addition to this, Jordan co-owns NASCAR team 23XI Racing with Denny Hamlin and has invested in luxury tequila brand Cincoro as part of his diverse portfolio. His business ventures extend beyond the world of sport; he's also involved with DraftKings and runs several restaurants, including Michael Jordan's Steak House.

A six-time NBA champion and six-time Finals MVP with the Bulls, Jordan played a crucial role in promoting basketball and the NBA globally during the 1980s and 1990s. He ended his illustrious career with the Washington Wizards before hanging up his boots in 2003.

Later, he ventured into ownership with the Charlotte Hornets, eventually selling his majority stake for a reported $3 billion (£2.36bn).

This article originally appeared on Mirror US