Michael Jordan retired from the NBA more than 10 years ago, but the former basketball superstar is still earning a lot of money - even more than the active athletes today.
Forbes revealed that Jordan was the highest-paid retired athlete in 2013, earning around $90 million. Most of his earnings reportedly came from his tie-up with Nike and Jordan Brand.
Jordan's $90-million earnings last year, which surpassed his biggest earning at $80 million during his last season with Chicago Bulls in 1997, was higher than the earnings of most retired and active athletes outside of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
"Jordan made an estimated $90 million last year thanks to the rich partnership he enjoys with Nike. His 2013 earnings eclipsed those of all other retired or current athletes save boxer Floyd Mayweather. It marked Jordan's biggest earnings year yet in a career paved with monster paydays, which peaked in Jordan's last season with the Bulls (1997-98) at $80 million," Forbes reported.
MJ's biggest earning in his career could be attributed to the success of his Jordan Brand shoeline and Nike's big year in 2013. Jordan shoe sales went up by 11 percent last year, while the overall basketball share of Nike and Jordan rose to 92 percent.
"Retail shoe sales for the Jordan Brand in the U.S. grew 11% last year to $2.7 billion, with basketball making up 84% of that, according to Powell. Roughly 50% to 55% of that goes to Nike. If you factor in sales of Jordan apparel, the international Jordan business and sales at Nike stores, the Jordan brand is contributing roughly $2 billion of revenue to Nike," Forbes noted.
Jordan's earning was $12-million more than Tiger Woods paycheck last year. The golf superstar earned $78.1 million last year -- $13.1 million from salary and winnings, and $65 million from endorsements.
It is almost $20 million more than Roger Federer's earning last year, which stood at $71.5 million -- $6.5 million from salary and $65 million from endorsements.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant was listed as the highest paid NBA player, earning $61.9 million -- $27.9 million from salary and $34 million from endorsement - followed by Miami Heat superstar LeBron James, who earned $59.8 million last year.
