Michael Jordan has pledged $100 million over 10 years to groups fighting for social justice and against racism
Michael Jordan has pledged $100 million over 10 years to groups fighting for social justice and against racism AFP / VINCENT LAFORET

National Basketball Association (NBA) superstars Michael Jordan and LeBron James are regarded by many people as the greatest players in NBA history or the GOAT, an acronym for Greatest Of All Time.

Who is the richer between the two? Here is the answer to that and more about the basketball superstars.

Jordan made his NBA debut in the 1984-85 season with the Chicago Bulls when he was just 21. His career spanned 15 seasons.

The six-time NBA champion and five-time MVP retired in April 2003.

As per reports, his earnings totaled $90 million. Aside from his salary, he has earned $1.8 billion from endorsement deals with several brands, including Nike, Hanes and Gatorade.

Today, Jordan owns the NBA team Charlotte Hornets. He agreed to sell a minority stake in a 2019 deal that valued the NBA team at $1.5 billion.

He is also a co-owner of the NASCAR 23XI Racing and special advisor to the board of sports betting firm DraftKings.

His net worth stands at $1.7 billion to date, as per Forbes.

While Jordan is richer, James also has a massive wealth. His current net worth is around $1 billion. James is the first active NBA player to become a billionaire.

He got drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. As of today, he has earned over $385 million in pretax salary from stints with the Cavaliers, Miami Heat and his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers.

James has won four NBA championships and four MVP awards.

He has earned over $900 million off the court, from business ventures and endorsement deals with several brands, including PepsiCo, Walmart and Nike.

Aside from being a professional basketball player, James' investments and other smart financial decisions made him very wealthy.

James reportedly has investments in Beats by Dre and the fast-growing Blaze Pizza chain, among other companies.

His LeBron James Family Foundation opened its first elementary school in 2018 and has pledged to spend more than $40 million to send kids to college.

LeBron James

LeBron James #6 of Los Angeles Lakers reacts during action against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center on January 25, 2022 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photo: Michelle Farsi/Getty Images