Despite Earning ‘Merely’ $93,877,500, Michael Jordan Displayed No Jealousy For Kobe Bryant’s $323,312,307 Wage

Michael Jordan spent 14 seasons in the NBA, and in that time he earned a whopping $93,627,500. However, in comparison to the stars that followed him, it was a measly amount. The next generation, which included Kobe Bryant, widely regarded as the second coming of His Airness, earned upwards of $300,000,000 over the course of their careers. However, despite being placed relatively low in the 2012 report, it was revealed in his 2014 book, Michael Jordan: The Life, that Jordan showed no jealousy toward The Black Mamba and his $323,312,307 earnings.

Entering the league in 1996, Kobe was the ideal replacement for MJ. With similar games and play styles, Bryant was an incredible player who wowed crowds just like his “big brother”. He was exceptional and displayed the same mentality as Jordan did when it came to basketball. To the point, where many of his peers strongly believed he was the closest thing to the six-time NBA Champion.

Michael Jordan was not jealous of Kobe Bryant despite making $229,684,807 less than the Mamba over his career

Both Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant were two of the greatest players in NBA history. They were birds of a feather and were dominant throughout the course of their careers. However, their career earnings vastly differed. Over the course of his 14 seasons in the league from 1984 to 2003, Jordan earned $93,627,500. In comparison, Kobe earned $323,312,307 in 20 seasons.

A huge difference, but one in the grand scheme of things didn’t bother His Airness. After all, with his numerous endorsements and investments, he was able to amass a $4,000,000,000 net worth for himself by the time Bryant retired. Nevertheless, a 2012 report ranked him 87th on an all-time list based on career earnings. Disrespectful to say the least.

However, it is important to note that taking inflation into account, MJ’s massive $33,000,000 contract in 1998 would have made him the highest-paid player in the NBA today. Thus, explaining why he expressed nonchalance about his NBA salary in the 2014 book by Roland Lazenby.

“On the list of the all-time NBA moneymakers, Jordan ranked eighty-seventh, just behind David Lee. Jordan’s career earnings as an NBA player were a relatively modest $90 million. The list reveals that Jordan’s success made it possible for the generation of stars that followed him Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal to approach $300 million in earnings. Jordan had often pointed out that his success was built on the generation who came before him, who earned a relative pittance. He said it stood to reason that he would earn less than those who followed.”

MJ managed to build a vast empire for himself thanks to his marketability and overall greatness. A true legend of the game who revolutionized the sport for those who came after him.

Kobe much like MJ had an impressive $600,000,000 empire of his own

Michael Jordan wasn’t the only one making significant moves off the court. His “younger brother,” Kobe Bryant also had quite the business acumen himself. With a $600,000,000 empire to his name, the five-time NBA Champion had a lucrative deal with Nike and even ventured into film production as he looked to make a splash in the media industry.

At the end of the day, both Mike and Kobe were like-minded. They both had the flair and competitiveness on the basketball court and showed similar traits off it.