Michael Jordan Made $29,223 Every Hour in 2022 From His Nike Deal, Lionel Messi in Comparison Made Only $14,840 From His Entire Income

Utathya Ghosh | 29/08/2023
Michael Jordan Made $29,223 Every Hour in 2022 From His Nike Deal, Lionel Messi in Comparison Made Only $14,840 From His Entire Income

In 2022, Michael Jordan managed to rake in a staggering $29,223 every single hour, solely from his partnership with Nike. This comes compared to Inter Miami star Lionel Messi’s hourly income of a modest $14,840 for 2022. Their income figures, sourced from Forbes, shed light on the contrast between these two sports icons.

Both Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi are widely hailed as the GOAT in their respective sports. This naturally spurs conversations comparing the two. The comparisons gained even more traction when Messi transitioned to Major League Soccer from European football. 

Michael Jordan and Lionel Messi’s hourly income for 2022 compared

In the year 2022, Michael Jordan’s income from his Nike deal amounted to an impressive $256,000,000. This was bolstered by his share of the Jordan Brand’s massive success. The renowned sneaker line reeled in a staggering $5.1 billion, with Jordan pocketing 5% of that total. This made him approximately $256 million in 2022 alone.

In contrast, Lionel Messi’s income had two main sources; his on-field earnings, comprising his salary, which amounted to $75 million. And the other source is in the form of off-field endorsements, an additional $55 million. 

With 8760 hours in a year, the calculation for their hourly earnings for the year was quite simple! Dividing Jordan’s earnings from the Nike deal, which was $256,000,000 by 8760 results in the magical $29,223 figure for His Airness. Meanwhile, the same calculation applied to Messi’s complete yearly earnings of $130,000,000 yields a much lower figure of $14,840. 

The comparison becomes even more striking considering $14,840 per hour was Messi’s yearly income, while $29,223 per hour was only from Jordan’s Nike deal. 

The numbers this year, in 2023, are likely to look different. Messi’s move to the MLS has opened doors for fresh endorsement deals. The hourly income numbers between Jordan and Messi could see a new status quo. But there is little doubt about Jordan’s financial mind and it would be difficult for anyone to surpass.

Jordan is a financial mastermind

After an incredibly successful NBA career, Michael Jordan continued his domination even after retirement. He has now amassed approximately $3.5 billion in personal wealth. One major contributor to this was his shrewd investment in the Charlotte Hornets. 

Acquiring the team in 2010 for $275 million, Jordan’s keen business acumen culminated in a remarkable sale in 2023, fetching approximately $3 billion. This transaction alone netted him a cool $2.7 billion profit. However, it will be interesting to see how this battle of the GOATs will turn out to be. 

Post Edited By: Pritam Priyedarshi
Lionel Messi Michael Jordan Nike

About the author

Utathya Ghosh

I'm Utathya, the resident basketball wordsmith and editor extraordinaire at The SportsRush's NBA section. When it comes to writing about the NBA, I've got the authority of a referee with a whistle and the flair of a player with a killer crossover. My love affair with the NBA has been going strong for a solid 8+ years, and trust me, it's been a wild ride. From buzzer-beating shots to mind-boggling dunks, I've witnessed it all. And through it all, one player has captured my heart and handles like no other: Kyrie Irving. That man's got moves that make me question the laws of physics. But enough about my favorite player. Let's talk about my natural talent for writing. They say the pen is mightier than the sword, but when it comes to basketball, my words are like three-point bombs that leave you in awe. I've got a knack for capturing the intensity of the game, the drama of the locker room, and the passion of the fans, all while keeping it entertaining and relatable. So, whether you're a die-hard fan or just getting your feet wet in the world of basketball, join me on this court of words as we dive into the thrilling world of the NBA. From epic comebacks to mind-blowing trades, I've got the inside scoop and the witty commentary to keep you hooked. Get ready for a slam dunk of articles that'll have you shouting "swish" with every read!

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