A fan of the NBA or not, everybody knows who Michael Jordan is. The NBA titan has earned every part of the fame and wealth that makes him an international star. If not for his legacy with the Chicago Bulls, even people in the smallest corners of the world can identify the iconic Air Jordan silhouette. such is the impact of the name.
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Lewis Hamilton once dreamed of reaching similar heights. Back when he was fresh out of winning a second championship, and still young with a lot to learn, he looked at Jordan as the benchmark to reach.
Hamilton was known as the billion-dollar man of F1. Although he never reached that mark, it was his capability to do so that earned him the name. On the other hand, Jordan is comfortable in that club; a league Hamilton hopes to enter.
Young Lewis Hamilton made Michael Jordan his idol
Shortly after winning his second championship, and the first with Mercedes, Hamilton looked at what the future would hold for him. Even almost a decade ago, Hamilton was cognizant of the limited time the sport had to offer.
And in that time, he wanted to achieve greatness beyond performance. “I look at people like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and David Beckham – sports stars who have continued to rise beyond their active careers and created businesses and futures for themselves beyond sport.”
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Magic Johnson dabbled in various businesses, well-known for his wealth from Starbucks. In the sports world, the NBA hero remains connected through stakes in the LA Dodgers and WNBA team the LA Sparks. His business empire reaches far beyond athletics. He has diversified into insurance, healthcare, food services, and staffing.
David Beckham is another excellent model to look at. Beckham wasted no time in building his own empire. DB Venture, Adidas, House 99, Studio 99, and much more, the soccer star has gone above and beyond.
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That’s not to say that in 2023, Hamilton doesn’t have a reputation of his own- in every industry out there. Mission 44, Plus 44, IWC deals- the man is synonymous with his sport. But then again, no one does it like MJ.
Eight years after the interview, Hamilton is the biggest name in his sport. Arguably, he’s on the same path to Michael Jordan-esque greatness. But there is still a long way to go to the top.
