From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Michael Jordan made an impact.
Michael Jordan, or MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player. He played 15 seasons in the NBA (1984-2003), securing six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players ever and played a crucial role in globally popularizing basketball and the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s, ultimately becoming a global cultural icon. He is currently a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets.
Since 1976, the year of the ABA–NBA merger, Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.
During his rookie 1984-85 season with the Bulls, Michael Jordan helped the Bulls improve from 27-55 to 38-44 and qualify for the postseason for the first time since the 1980-81 season
In 1981, Michael Jordan accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in cultural geography.
In 1981, Michael Jordan, as a high school senior, was selected for the McDonald's All-American Game, where he scored 30 points.
In 1982, Michael Jordan, as a freshman, was a member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship team.
In 1982, as a freshman, Michael Jordan made the game-winning jump shot in the NCAA Championship game against Georgetown.
In 1983, Michael Jordan debuted as a college player for the U.S. national basketball team at the Pan American Games in Caracas, Venezuela, leading the team in scoring and winning the gold medal.
In 1983, Michael Jordan won a gold medal with the United States national team at the Pan American Games.
In November 1984, Michael Jordan's talent was clear from his first NBA season, and he was being compared to Julius Erving.
In 1984, Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls as the third overall draft pick and quickly became a league star.
In 1984, Michael Jordan won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics as part of the U.S. team, contributing as the team's leading scorer.
In 1984, Nike created a signature shoe for Michael Jordan called the Air Jordan, leading to popular commercials featuring Spike Lee as Mars Blackmon and eventually the establishment of the "Jordan Brand" division.
In 1984, Nike introduced Air Jordan sneakers, which Michael Jordan fueled to success through endorsements.
Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the 1984 U.S. men's basketball team.
On April 20, 1986, Michael Jordan established the single game playoff record of 63 points against the Boston Celtics, leading Larry Bird to describe him as "God disguised as Michael Jordan".
During the 1986-87 season, Michael Jordan had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history, and also became the first player in NBA history to record 200 steals and 100 blocked shots in a season.
From the 1986-87 season, Michael Jordan did not miss four or more games while active for a full season.
In 1987, Michael Jordan's athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest championships influenced a generation of young players.
In 1987-88 season, Michael Jordan won his first league MVP Award and was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
During the 1988-89 season, Michael Jordan again led the league in scoring and expressed his frustration over the Bulls' offense.
From 1988 to 1992, Michael Jordan had five consecutive seasons with at least 50% shooting.
In 1988, Michael Jordan was honored with the NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards, making him the first NBA player to win both awards in their career.
In 1988, Michael Jordan's athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest championships influenced a generation of young players.
In the 1989-90 season, Michael Jordan shot 37% from three, improving his three-point shooting.
The Bulls entered the 1989-90 season as a team on the rise, with their core group of Jordan and young improving players like Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, and under the guidance of new coach Phil Jackson.
On March 28, 1990, Michael Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a 117–113 road win over the Cavaliers.
In 1990, Michael Jordan won his second MVP award, averaging 31.5 points per game with a 53.9% shooting accuracy, 6.0 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game for the regular season. The Bulls finished first in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.
In 1990, Michael Jordan's automotive group acquired a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina.
In the 1990 season, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to a first-place finish in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season. Also, he won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 points per game on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rebounds per game, and 5.5 assists per game.
In 1991, Michael Jordan began a long relationship with Gatorade, appearing in over 20 commercials, including the "Be Like Mike" campaign featuring a song sung by children aspiring to emulate Jordan.
In 1991, Michael Jordan won his first NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.
In the 1991 season, Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance, establishing a 67–15 record, topping their franchise record from the 1990–91 campaign. Jordan also won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 points per game, 6.4 rebounds per game, and 6.1 assists per game on 52% shooting.
During the 1992 Super Bowl XXVI, a Nike commercial aired featuring Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny playing basketball together, marking the beginning of their association.
From 1988 to 1992, Michael Jordan had five consecutive seasons with at least 50% shooting.
In 1992, Michael Jordan won his second NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.
In the 1992-93 season, Michael Jordan shot 35% from three, indicating improvement in his three-point shooting ability.
Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the 1992 U.S. men's basketball team.
In 1993, Jordan and the Bulls won their third NBA championship against Charles Barkley and the Phoenix Suns. Jordan averaged a Finals-record 41.0 points per game during the six-game series and became the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.
In 1993, Michael Jordan secured a three-peat with the Bulls and then abruptly retired from basketball to play Minor League Baseball.
On November 1, 1994, Michael Jordan's No. 23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known as The Spirit outside the new United Center.
From 1994 to 1997, Michael Jordan shot higher percentages from three, but in those years, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards.
In March 1995, Michael Jordan returned to the Chicago Bulls after a stint in Minor League Baseball.
On March 18, 1995, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA with a two-word press release: "I'm back."
On March 28, 1995, during his comeback, Michael Jordan scored 55 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
From 1995 until its closure in June 2009, Michael Jordan's automotive group operated a Lincoln–Mercury dealership.
In 1996, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to their fourth championship and a then-record 72 regular season wins.
From 1994 to 1997, Michael Jordan shot higher percentages from three, but in those years, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards.
In 1997-98, an NBA Entertainment crew shot about 500 hours of candid film of Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities for use in a documentary.
By 1998, the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer.
During the 1998 labor dispute, Michael Jordan advised then-Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin, "If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team."
Michael Jordan's career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the 1998 NBA playoffs, was the subject of an IMAX documentary.
On January 13, 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time, citing Phil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending departures of Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman, and the owner-induced lockout of NBA players.
In January 1999, Michael Jordan claimed he was "99.9% certain" he would never play another NBA game.
In January 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time from the NBA.
On January 19, 2000, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player but as part owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards.
In 2000, Michael Jordan was the subject of an IMAX documentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the 1998 NBA playoffs, titled "Michael Jordan to the Max".
On September 25, 2001, Michael Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards. He stated his intention to donate his salary to a relief effort for the victims of the September 11 attacks.
In 2001, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably that of Kwame Brown, the number-one draft pick.
In 2001, Michael Jordan began hosting the annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament.
In 2001, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA for two more seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards.
In the 2001-02 season, Michael Jordan missed games due to a right knee injury, ending his streak of full seasons played since 1986-87.
In 2002, Jordan's previous tenure may have influenced the trade of Richard "Rip" Hamilton for Jerry Stackhouse, although Jordan was not technically the Director of Basketball Operations.
In the 2002-03 season, many tributes were paid to Michael Jordan throughout the NBA, recognizing that it would be his final season.
On February 21, 2003, Michael Jordan became the first 40-year-old to score 43 points in an NBA game while playing for the Washington Wizards.
On April 16, 2003, Michael Jordan played in his final NBA game in Philadelphia. He scored 13 points and received a three-minute standing ovation from the crowd.
On May 7, 2003, Abe Pollin, the owner of the Washington Wizards, fired Michael Jordan from his role as Director of Basketball Operations.
Since 2004, Michael Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional motorcycle road racing team.
On June 15, 2006, Michael Jordan purchased a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats, later known as the Hornets, becoming the team's second-largest shareholder and taking control of basketball operations.
In 2006, Michael Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Bobcats (later named Hornets).
In 2008, Michael Jordan's yearly income from endorsements was estimated to be over $40 million, which contributed to his setting records in player salary and significantly increasing the market capitalization of his client firms.
In 2008, the Make-A-Wish Foundation named Michael Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador.
In June 2009, Michael Jordan's Lincoln-Mercury dealership closed.
In February 2010, Michael Jordan sought majority ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats, and by February 27th, an agreement was reached for him to buy the team, pending NBA approval.
In 2010, Michael Jordan bought a controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets.
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Michael Jordan led a group of hardline owners seeking to cap the players' share of basketball-related income.
During the lockout-shortened 2011-12 NBA season, the Charlotte Bobcats had a 7-59 record, resulting in a .106 winning percentage, the worst in NBA history.
At the end of the 2013 season, Michael Jordan Motorsports, Michael Jordan's motorcycle road racing team, ceased operations.
In 2013, Michael Jordan granted his 200th wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
In 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats became known as the Charlotte Hornets.
In June 2014, Michael Jordan became the first NBA player to become a billionaire, after increasing his stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2014, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history.
In 2014, Michael Jordan concluded hosting the annual Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational golf tournament.
On January 20, 2015, Michael Jordan was honored with the Charlotte Business Journal's Business Person of the Year for 2014.
In 2017, Michael Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina, by giving $7 million.
In 2018, Michael Jordan's steakhouse in New York City's Grand Central Terminal closed.
As of 2019, Michael Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
During the 2019 NBA offseason, Michael Jordan sold a minority piece of the Charlotte Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, while retaining majority ownership and his role as chairman.
In 2019, Michael Jordan gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery following Hurricane Dorian.
In May 2020, "The Last Dance", a 10-part TV documentary about Michael Jordan's life, debuted on ESPN.
On June 5, 2020, Michael Jordan and his brand announced a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to racial equality, social justice, and education.
In September 2020, Michael Jordan became an investor and advisor for DraftKings.
On September 21, 2020, Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin announced the formation of a NASCAR Cup Series team, named 23XI Racing, with Bubba Wallace as the driver, beginning in 2021.
In February 2021, Michael Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in New Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.
In 2021, 23XI Racing, the NASCAR Cup Series team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, began competition with Bubba Wallace as the driver.
In 2022, 23XI Racing expanded by adding a second car, No. 45, initially driven by Kurt Busch.
In 2022, Michael Jordan appeared in the miniseries "The Captain", which follows the life and career of Derek Jeter.
In August 2023, Michael Jordan finalized the sale of his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall for approximately $3 billion, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner while retaining a minority stake.
In 2023, Michael Jordan donated $10 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his 60th birthday.
In 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
In 2023, Tyler Reddick replaced Kurt Busch as the driver of the No. 45 car for 23XI Racing.
In 2024, Michael Jordan funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington.
In 2024, Tyler Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship, the first for 23XI Racing.
In May 2025, Michael Jordan was announced as a special contributor for the NBA on NBC commentary team.
In 2025, 23XI Racing will expand with a third charter from Stewart-Haas Racing, with Riley Herbst driving the No. 35 car.
Basketball is a team sport played on a rectangular court...
McDonald's Corporation is a multinational fast food chain originating from...
IMAX is a proprietary system utilizing high-resolution cameras film formats...
Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December th commemorating...
Derek Jeter the Captain played shortstop for the New York...
Michael Joseph Jackson the King of Pop was a highly...
8 minutes ago Cory Booker Confronts Democrats Over Police Bills: A Call for Accountability.
1 hour ago Luka Don?i? Reveals Body Transformation After Intense Offseason Training: 'Body Looks Better'
3 hours ago Affordable Housing's Profitability, Sustainability, and Scalability: Developer's Bet and Portland's Preparation
4 hours ago Bev Priestman Hired by Wellington Phoenix After Spying Ban Controversy
4 hours ago High-Speed Chase Ends in Santa Monica: Stolen Truck Driver Apprehended After Pursuit
4 hours ago Haleiwa Housing Project Sparks Controversy: Residents Petition Against Expansion in Hawaii
John Michael Ozzy Osbourne is a prominent English singer songwriter...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...
Hulk Hogan born Terry Gene Bollea is a retired American...
Charlie Kirk is a prominent American conservative activist author and...
Adam Schiff is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...