How Michael Jordan, the first billionaire athlete, makes and spends his $2.1 billion fortune

Jordan Brand via Getty Images

• Michael Jordan is considered to be the greatest NBA player of all time. He's also the richest former professional athlete in the world.
• Jordan made less than $100 million while a player in the NBA, but has been a member of three-comma club since 2014. Forbes estimates his net worth to be $2.1 billion. 
• Since Jordan retired in 2003, he has built a lucrative post-basketball career, predominantly through deals with Nike.
• He's faced his fair share of legal battles and has used his wealth for philanthropic purposes as well as personal enjoyment: He owns sprawling estates, his own golf course, an NBA team, and multiple restaurants. 
• An ESPN documentary miniseries focusing on Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls premieres on April 19.
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Jordan is the world's first athlete billionaire.

Source: Daily Mail

As of 2015, he was reportedly making $100 million a year from Nike royalties alone.

Source: Business Insider

And his income now is way more than his total playing salary during his career. He earned $90 million total in NBA salary, and about $63 million of that came in his final two seasons with the Chicago Bulls.

Source: Forbes, Spotrac, Basketball-Reference

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