Michael Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest NBA players of all time, and the Chicago Bulls were the team he spent the majority of his professional career playing for. From 1984 to 1998, Jordan took the Bulls to six NBA Finals championships, and it’s no secret that he was well compensated for his efforts. But exactly how much did Jordan make while playing for the Bulls?
Jordan signed a five-year, $26 million contract with the Bulls in 1984, which made him the highest-paid player in the NBA at the time. After his first contract expired, Jordan re-signed with the Bulls in 1988 for a one-year deal worth $2.5 million. In 1989, Jordan signed an eight-year, $25 million contract, and in 1996 he signed yet another one-year contract with the Bulls worth $33 million. Jordan’s total earnings during his tenure with the Bulls amounted to $93.7 million.
The Bulls also provided Jordan with a number of lucrative endorsement deals. Jordan inked a deal with Nike in 1984, and the shoe company reportedly paid him more than $50 million in royalties over the years. He also received additional endorsement money from companies such as Gatorade, McDonald’s, and Wheaties.
In addition to his salary and endorsement earnings, Jordan was also given several perks by the Bulls, including a private suite at the United Center and a lifetime contract with the team. He also owns a stake in the team, which was estimated to be worth $17 million in 2014.
In sum, Michael Jordan made an incredible amount of money during his time with the Bulls. Between his salary and endorsements, Jordan earned more than $93 million while playing for the Bulls. He also earned additional income from his team stake and other benefits. Jordan’s time with the Bulls is considered one of the most successful eras in NBA history, and it’s no surprise that he was well compensated for it.
What Was Michael Jordan’s Salary on the Chicago Bulls?
Michael Jordan is one of the most iconic sports figures of all time, and his career with the Chicago Bulls is one of the most celebrated in sports history. So, what was Michael Jordan’s salary on the Chicago Bulls?
When Michael Jordan joined the Bulls in 1984, his rookie contract was worth $6.3 million over four years – an average annual salary of $1.58 million. This was a big jump from the $550,000 Jordan was making with the University of North Carolina Tar Heels.
In 1987, Jordan earned a salary of $2 million with the Bulls, and by the time he left in 1998 his annual salary had skyrocketed to $33 million. Over his entire Bulls career, Jordan earned a total of $93 million in salary.
In addition to his salary, Jordan also earned millions of dollars in endorsements and product royalties. His endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, Hanes, Wheaties, and other companies earned him an estimated $1 billion over his career.
To put Jordan’s salary in perspective, the average NBA salary in the 2018-2019 season was $7.7 million. In today’s dollars, Jordan’s salary with the Bulls would be double that, at $15.4 million.
As impressive as Jordan’s salary was, it pales in comparison to the salaries earned by today’s top NBA players. In the 2019-2020 season, the highest-paid player in the NBA was Stephen Curry, who earned a reported $40.2 million from the Golden State Warriors.
Below is a table of Michael Jordan’s salaries with the Bulls over his career:
| Year | Salary |
|---|---|
| 1984-1985 | $1.58 million |
| 1987-1988 | $2 million |
| 1995-1996 | $30 million |
| 1997-1998 | $33 million |
Michael Jordan’s salary with the Bulls is a testament to his legendary career in the NBA and his enduring popularity. His salary was a fraction of the millions he earned in endorsements and product royalties, but it was still one of the highest salaries in the NBA at the time.
How Much Was Michael Jordan Paid During His Bulls Tenure?
Michael Jordan is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. During his legendary career with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan earned a variety of salaries.
Jordan’s first contract with the Bulls was a four-year deal worth approximately $6 million. After that, Jordan signed a one-year extension for $2.5 million. In the 1995-96 season, Jordan earned a salary of $3.85 million. For the 1996-97 season, he earned $30.14 million. His salary peaked in the 1997-98 season, when he earned $33.14 million.
In total, Jordan earned more than $90 million in salary during his tenure with the Bulls. This doesn’t include the $25 million he earned from endorsements. He also received additional bonuses and incentives, such as his performance-based salary of $9.7 million in the 1997-98 season.
In addition to his salary, Jordan was also paid for his work in television commercials and other endorsements. He also earned millions from his merchandise sales. Jordan was the first athlete to be the face of a major brand, and his success in this area has been credited with ushering in the modern era of athlete endorsements.
In addition to his salary and endorsements, Jordan also earned profits from his investments in the Chicago Bulls and other sports teams. He also invested in real estate, and is rumored to have made millions from these investments.
Overall, Jordan earned an impressive amount of money during his tenure with the Bulls. His success on and off the court has made him one of the most recognizable and successful athletes of all time.
| Year | Salary |
|---|---|
| 1984-85 | $550,000 |
| 1985-86 | $630,000 |
| 1986-87 | $915,000 |
| 1987-88 | $2.5 million |
| 1995-96 | $3.85 million |
| 1996-97 | $30.14 million |
| 1997-98 | $33.14 million |
Michael Jordan’s salary on the Bulls during the 1997-98 season was $33 million.
The highest salary Jordan earned with the Bulls was $33 million for the 1997-98 season.
Jordan played for the Bulls from 1984-85 to 1997-98, which was a total of 13 seasons.
Yes, Michael Jordan’s salary increased significantly during his Bulls tenure, from a starting salary of $550,000 in 1984-85 to a salary of $33 million in 1997-98.
No, Jordan did not take a pay cut during his Bulls tenure.
Yes, Jordan’s salary had a significant impact on the Bulls’ salary cap, as it was the highest salary in the NBA for several years.
Yes, Jordan signed a one-year contract extension with the Bulls in 1997-98, which was his final season with the team.
Jordan made $33 million in his final season with the Bulls in 1997-98.
Yes, Jordan’s salary increased significantly throughout his career with the Bulls, from a starting salary of $550,000 in 1984-85 to a salary of $33 million in 1997-98.
No, Jordan’s salary did not decrease during his Bulls tenure.