Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and the top three wealthiest sportspersons in the world are all either former or current NBA players. From Michael Jordan to LeBron James to Magic Johnson, the sport has seen numerous stars over the decades, but who racked up the highest career earnings from the league?
Interestingly, none of Jordan, Johnson, Kobe Bryant, or Shaquille O’Neal rank in the top 15 players who have generated the highest amount in NBA career earnings. The top 10 is stacked with active players, and it just goes to show how much the league has grown in recent years.
The Five Richest NBA Players In History
1. Michael Jordan, $3.5 Billion
As of 2025, Jordan’s net worth is $3.5 billion (per Forbes), making him the wealthiest athlete not just in the NBA but in all of sports.
Jordan’s success on the basketball court has been well documented over the years. That said, it is his off-court ventures that helped him amass a small fortune that is the equivalent of a small nation’s GDP.
He has earned around $94 million from the NBA but over $2.4 billion (pre-tax) from partnerships with brands such as Nike, Hanes, and Gatorade. The iconic Jordan Brand, from his Nike collaboration, still earns him around $60 million annually in royalties. His other business ventures generate $300 to $400 million annually.
Nike’s comeback began with one gamble: Michael Jordan.
Jordan initially wanted Adidas, but he hadn’t played a single NBA game, so Adidas refused to invest in him.
Nike took the risk NO ONE else would, offering Jordan his own shoe + 5% royalties on EVERY pair sold. pic.twitter.com/HxSfb1c1qk
— Sora Ishikawa (@IshikawaSor) April 20, 2025
Jordan purchased a controlling stake in the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets) for $275 million in 2010 and sold the franchise for approximately $3 billion in 2023. He also invests in DraftKings and the NASCAR 23XI Racing team.
2. Magic Johnson, $1.5 Billion
Johnson’s net worth is about $1.6 billion as of 2025, and he is building his business empire. In the NBA, he earned about $40 million. After retiring from basketball in 1987, he began Magic Johnson Enterprises and the business of organizing basketball games.
This company has invested in many different types of businesses, such as movie houses, Starbucks locations, and real estate. He has a 60% share in EquiTrust Life Insurance Company, which manages more than $26 billion of assets.
Magic Johnson gifted Roki Sasaki a signed Lakers jersey with his best accomplishments written after he signed with the Dodgers to welcome him.
Magic, being a part of the Guggenheim Ownership Group, is a big reason why LA was able to land another Japanese star.
GREATNESS 💙💛💜 pic.twitter.com/wpOhFD7jNS
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 18, 2025
He also owns small shares in several major sports teams, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), the Washington Commanders (NFL), the Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA), and the Los Angeles Football Club (MLS).
3. LeBron James, $1.2 Billion
James has a net worth of about $1.2 billion, making him one of the richest athletes. During his career, he has made more than $500 million as an NBA player. He has lucrative marketing deals with companies like Nike, PepsiCo, and Walmart.
Along with his sponsorships, James has grown his portfolio by co-founding SpringHill Company, a $300 million media production company.
$330 million on the court.
$700 million off the court.The first active NBA player to earn $1 billion:
LeBron James 👑
(h/t @kbadenhausen) pic.twitter.com/ZUBe83T8Rc
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) July 22, 2021
He has also invested heavily in real estate. According to Forbes, his total investment value in real estate is around $80 million, which includes a $36.8 million Beverly Hills mansion, a $23 million Brentwood home, and a $10 million estate near Akron, Ohio.
He has investments in Blaze Pizza and Fenway Sports Group, the company that owns both the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool F.C.
4. Shaquille O’Neal, $500 Million
O’Neal, a four-time NBA champion and dominant force for over a decade in the league, boasts a formidable net worth of $500 million as of 2025. His earnings stemmed from lucrative NBA contracts, totaling over $286 million, and a diverse portfolio of endorsements and business ventures.
Shaq is an incredible businessman.
He reportedly still makes $50 million annually through endorsements and even invested in Google’s Series A at a $100 million valuation (now worth $1.5 trillion).
But one business deal stands far above the rest.
Here’s the awesome story 👇 pic.twitter.com/hlnbV5KFiW
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) August 16, 2022
Between Papa John’s, General Insurance, and Icy Hot, and various franchise ownerships like Krispy Kreme, O’Neal has successfully transitioned his on-court persona into a thriving business empire.
5. Vinnie Johnson, $500 Million
Johnson may not be a famous name in the NBA unless you are a Pistons fan, but he’s the fifth richest in history with a massive net worth of $500 million. Although he generated only $6 million during his NBA career, which lasted from 1979 through 1992, it’s his post-retirement career that has paid high dividends for Johnson.
7) Since humbly asking for guidance 25 years ago, the business has exploded under the leadership of Vinnie Johnson.
Overview:
– 10,000 employees
– $3 billion in annual revenue
– 20 locations across North AmericaVinnie Johnson currently serves as Chairman and CEO. pic.twitter.com/jJOvKUWQ3r
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) September 22, 2020
He started an automotive company called the Piston Group in 1995, specialising in fuel systems, electronic components, and interior manufacture. Today, the company employs over 8,300Â people and generates roughly 2 billion annually.
