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Michael Jordan protected his ‘future’ $150 million a year by using the US Flag at the Olympics

Ashish Priyadarshi
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Michael Jordan protected his ‘future’ $150 million a year by using the US Flag at the Olympics

Michael Jordan is perhaps the greatest basketball player of all time, and he’s also a very successful and very smart business man.

The Bulls legend built up his net worth well after his playing days. Although he was the highest-paid player in the league during his time, he made most of his money after his career was over.

From investing in the right businesses to owning the Charlotte Hornets, and of course, his Jordan brand. Jordan’s royalties with Nike is probably his biggest money maker.

Jordan has also made a series of great investments that have netted him great profits. From brands like Coca-Cola, Wheatie’s, Chevrolet, Gatorade, and Hanes, he’s managed to reach a $2.1 billion net worth.

Also Read: “LeBron James wants Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis to improve”: Kendrick Perkins hypothesizes ‘The King’ wants Lakers to make significant changes

Michael Jordan used the US flag to protect his future $150 million profit

Jordan’s Nike deal earns him a whopping $150 million a year. In the 1992 Olympics, Jordan’s loyalty was put to the test, and, as he’d later start to realize, his $150 million a year income.

The 1992 Olympic Team is iconic for several reasons. Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and several other legends suited up for the most dominant performance Team USA has had in the Olympics.

However, there was one problem for Jordan. Reebok sponsored Team USA’s clothing for the medal stand which put Jordan in a tough bind.

He couldn’t abandon his loyalty to the Nike brand, and so Jordan cleverly used the American flag to cover the Reebok logo on the right shoulder of the uniforms.

Jordan wasn’t alone either. Magic Johnson and Charles Barkley followed up right behind him. In fact, Jordan’s rejection of Reebok was so impactful that Reebok stopped sponsoring clothing for the US Team from the 1998 Olympics, ending a seven decade streak.

Jordan definitely protected his future wealth with that move. Earning $150 million a year keeps him rich and happy right now, and so why wouldn’t he defend his brand?

Also Read: “Dennis Rodman and I were naked and Michael Jordan showed up”: Carmen Electra hid from Bulls legend in Las Vegas

About the author

Ashish Priyadarshi

Ashish Priyadarshi

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Ashish Priyadarshi is The SportsRush's content manager and editor. Ashish freelanced for 1 year in the NFL division before taking on an editorial role in the company. He then tacked on managing content while adding on a writing role in the NBA division. Ashish has been closely following the NFL and NBA since the 2012 season when the Patriots lost the Super Bowl and Derrick Rose was at the height of his powers. Since then, Ashish has focused on honing his knowledge for both leagues in, even writing crossover pieces. In his free time, Ashish is an avid basketball player, he loves to watch movies and TV shows, immersing himself in the cinematic world. Ashish studies computer science and data science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and would love to mesh his love for sports with his technical skills.

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