Michael Jordan’s journey to becoming a global phenomenon started in his early years as a basketball player. He was known for his incredible skill and talent on the court, as well as his fierce competitiveness and determination.
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He played college basketball at the University of North Carolina, where he won a national championship in 1982, and was selected third overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Chicago Bulls.
In his early years with the Bulls, Jordan quickly established himself as one of the best players in the league. He won the NBA Rookie of the Year award in 1985 and led the league in scoring in the 1986-87 season.
However, it wasn’t until the late 80s and early 90s that Jordan truly became a global phenomenon. One of the key factors in Jordan’s rise to global fame was his success on the international stage.
He played for the United States in the 1984 and 1992 Olympic Games, winning gold medals on both occasions. His performances in these tournaments, as well as in the 1992 “Dream Team” that featured some of the greatest basketball players of all time, helped to raise his profile around the world.
Michael Jordan was voted 2nd only to God in a popularity contest
Jordan was so wildly popular during the 1990s that he won numerous contests of popularity. He and Michael Jackson – the other MJ – were the most popular exports of American culture to the world.
According to a survey done for 6 years from 1987 to 1993, Jordan was the most popular personality in the world. He was tied with God himself as the person that most black children admired.
MJ was also voted as the 2nd most popular personality in China during the 20th century after Zhou Enlai.
Jordan established a billion-dollar empire as the premier sportsperson of all time
Michael Jordan famously has a partnership with Nike, which began in 1984. Nike produces the famous “Air Jordan” line of sneakers, as well as numerous commercials and other advertisements that helped to create a global brand around Jordan.
Jordan Brand earned $5.1 billion in revenue during the calendar year of 2022. Michael netted royalties worth $256 million just from the past year alone.
He’s also appeared in movies (Space Jam) and television shows, further cementing his status as a cultural icon.
Finally, Jordan’s success on the court was unparalleled. He won six NBA championships with the Bulls, including two three-peats, and was named the NBA Finals MVP in all six of those championship runs.
He also won five NBA MVP awards and was a 14-time All-Star. His incredible success on the court, combined with his global brand and cultural impact, made him one of the most recognizable and beloved athletes of all time.
