Now worth $3 billion, is 39-year-old Michael Jordan richer than his NBA GOAT rival LeBron James?

The debate over “GOAT” will continue until the end of time. However, there is an underlying thread of consensus in this ongoing discussion – who is richer at 39? As of December 2023, Michael Jordan has a net worth of $3 billion, which he reached after selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets. LeBron James, on the other hand, currently has a net worth of approximately $1 billion, making him the only active NBA player on the list.

Although Jordan is now richer than James, it’s unfair to compare the two given their age difference. However, when we compare the two’s earnings at age 39, the results are surprisingly different.

LeBron James vs. LeBron James Michael Jordan: Financial Showdown

Jordan played his final season at age 39, winning $93,877,500 The NBA’s revenue, adjusted for inflation, is approximately $156,658,588.However, James, who is 39 years old today, has accumulated $479,466,457 USD During his 21-year career, he led the NBA in earnings. Obviously, James is worth a staggering $325,807,869 more than Jordan at the age of 39. Part of the reason, however, is because league salaries have changed dramatically over the past few years.

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In August last year, James signed a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers worth $99,023,288, of which $99,023,288 was guaranteed and the average annual salary was $49,511,644. On the other hand, Jordan’s richest contract was $33.14 million during the 1997-98 season. Not only was it the most expensive contract of Jordan’s career, it was also one of the largest contracts in NBA history until Stephen Curry signed a 5-year deal worth $201 million in 2017, payable through the 2017-18 season. He $34,682,550.

Due to the increasing popularity of the league and the implementation of the new CBA, the salary cap has increased. It jumped from $40.2 million in the 2002-03 season to $123.4 million in the 2022-23 season. The expected emergence of the NBA’s salary cap could cause player contracts to exceed $80 million in base salary as early as 2029, with the potential to soar to $100 million three years later.

Other factors leading to rising wages

The NBA has a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) that outlines how the league’s revenue will be divided among players and teams. Under the agreement, players will receive approximately 50% of the league’s revenue, which comes from ticket sales, broadcast rights, merchandise sales and sponsorships. The league’s revenue has grown exponentially over the past decade, so the new contracts are eye-popping.

The alliance has also expanded its reach to international markets such as China and Dubai. The sport’s global appeal increases athletes’ earnings through endorsement deals and other sponsorship opportunities. What do you think of these numbers? Let us know in the comments.