LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: Who Is Richer Between the 2 NBA Billionaires?

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Who is richer between the two basketball GOATs?

There is a never-ending debate among basketball fans on who is the true GOAT (greatest of all time) in basketball history: LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan.

There is no doubt that both are tremendous athletes and the best of their respective eras. But the debates go on and on.

Recently, LeBron James officially became a billionaire, according to Forbes, and some can't help to compare him to Jordan, who is also a billionaire.

Who is richer between the two basketball GOATs?

Let's first take a look at Michael Jordan, regarded by many fans and current and former basketball players as the NBA's GOAT. He won six titles (2x three-peats) with the Chicago Bulls. Some speculate that he could have won more if he did not have his first retirement after the Bulls won their third title in 1993. Moreover, per Sporting News, he was a member of the original USA Basketball Dream Team, alongside fellow basketball legends like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, that won the gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Michael Jordan became larger than life in the 1990s, boosting the NBA's global popularity significantly. And many kids back then wanted to "Be like Mike" and have his Jordan shoes.

Jordan, who played shooting guard for most of his basketball career, only spent two seasons in the NBA as the highest-paid player during his 15-year career. His salary was $90 million during his career, but he has earned $1.8 billion (pre-tax) from corporate partners, including Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade.

In September 2020, MJ joined sports betting company DraftKings as a special advisor to the board and an investor. In late 2020, he also became a co-owner of a NASCAR team.

Jordan, who owns the Charlotte Hornets, agreed to sell minority ownership in the NBA franchise for $1.5 billion in a 2019 deal.

According to Forbes, Michael Jordan Net Worth 2022 is $1.7 billion.

LeBron James Is Among the Highest-Paid Athletes Today

On the other hand, LeBron James has emerged as a freak of nature who can play all five positions on the court. He won two championships in Miami, one in Cleaveland, and one in Los Angeles.

During his first 10 seasons in the NBA, he earned slightly more than $126 million in salary. During the same period, LeBron made an estimated $326 million in endorsements. In his first te10n years as a pro, he made $452 million, per a Celebrity Net Worth article.

LeBron James signed a two-year, $85 million contract agreement with the Lakers. By the time his deal expires in 2023, he will have earned $428 million in the NBA, which is expected to increase LeBron James net worth 2023.

Outside of athletics, the 6'8 superstar is among the world's highest-paid and most powerful superstars. He has a $1 billion contract with Nike and makes between $60 and $90 million in endorsements each year. He has transformed his fame and wealth into a respectable commercial empire by investing in several companies. He is a Liverpool F.C. shareholder.

According to Forbes, LeBron James' net worth in 2022 is $1 billion.

Per the information on their respective net worth this year, MJ is the winner of the LeBron James vs. Michael Jordan: who's the richer billionaire contest. However, given the multiple income streams LBJ, he could catch up in the future.