History of Michael Jordan in Timeline
Michael Jordan, also known as MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player widely regarded as the greatest of all time. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, predominantly with the Chicago Bulls, leading them to six NBA championships. Jordan's impact transcended the sport, as he played a pivotal role in popularizing basketball globally and becoming a cultural icon in the 1980s and 1990s.
February 17, 1963: Michael Jordan's birth
On February 17, 1963, Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known as MJ, was born. He would later become a professional basketball player and businessman.
1968: Family moves to Wilmington
In 1968, Michael Jordan's family moved to Wilmington, North Carolina.
1975: NBA Game Nielsen Rating
The March 19, 1995 game of Jordan's comeback had the highest Nielsen rating of any regular season NBA game since 1975.
1980: Playoff Berth
In 1985, Michael Jordan helped the Bulls improve and qualify for the postseason for the first time since the 1980-81 season.
1981: Accepts Scholarship to UNC
In 1981, Michael Jordan accepted a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in cultural geography.
1981: McDonald's All-American Game
In 1981, Michael Jordan was selected for the McDonald's All-American Game, scoring 30 points.
1982: NCAA Championship Game-Winning Shot
In 1982, Michael Jordan made the game-winning jump shot in the NCAA Championship game against Georgetown.
1982: National Championship
In 1982, Michael Jordan was a freshman member of the North Carolina Tar Heels' national championship team.
1983: NCAA All-American First Team
In 1983, Michael Jordan was selected by consensus to the NCAA All-American First Team.
1983: Pan American Games Gold Medal
In 1983, Michael Jordan won a gold medal while playing for the United States national team at the Pan American Games.
1984: Jordan joins the NBA
In 1984, Michael Jordan began his 15-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
1984: Jordan Drafted by Bulls
In 1984, Michael Jordan joined the Chicago Bulls as the third overall draft pick.
1984: Drafted by Chicago Bulls
In 1984, Michael Jordan was selected by the Chicago Bulls with the third overall pick of the NBA draft.
1984: Naismith and Wooden Awards
In 1984, Michael Jordan won the Naismith and the Wooden College Player of the Year awards before leaving North Carolina to enter the NBA draft.
1984: Creation of Air Jordan Shoe
In 1984, Nike created a signature shoe for Michael Jordan called the Air Jordan.
1984: Introduction of Air Jordan sneakers
In 1984, Nike introduced the Air Jordan sneakers, which fueled the success of Michael Jordan's endorsements.
1985: Rookie Season Success
During his rookie 1984-85 season, Michael Jordan averaged 28.2 points per game and became a fan favorite, earning the NBA Rookie of the Year award, but also encountering controversy at the All-Star Game. The Bulls also made the playoffs for the first time since the 1980-81 season.
1986: Graduation from UNC
In 1986, Michael Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in geography.
1986: Recovery from Injury
Michael Jordan fully recovered for the 1986-87 season, after an injury the previous season.
1987: Scoring Title
In the 1987-88 season, Michael Jordan led the league in scoring.
1988: NBA Defensive Player of the Year
In 1988, Michael Jordan was named the NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
1988: Jordan's High Scoring Season
In the 1988-89 season, Michael Jordan led the league in scoring.
1989: Bulls Team on the Rise
In the 1989-90 season, the Chicago Bulls entered as a team on the rise.
March 28, 1990: Career-High Scoring Game
On March 28, 1990, Michael Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a road win against the Cavaliers.
1990: Acquisition of Nissan Dealership
In 1990, Michael Jordan's automotive group acquired a Nissan dealership in Durham, North Carolina.
1990: Bulls franchise record
In 1990, the Bulls established a new franchise record, setting the stage for their dominance in the upcoming season.
1990: Jordan's MVP Award
In the 1990-91 season, Michael Jordan won his second MVP award.
1991: Bulls Dominance and MVP Award
In 1991, Jordan and the Bulls established a 67–15 record and Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award, averaging 30.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 6.1 apg.
1991: Alleged Affair with Karla Knafel
In 1991, Karla Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million for remaining silent about their relationship.
1991: First NBA Title
In 1991, Michael Jordan won his first NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.
1991: "Be Like Mike" Gatorade Commercials
Since 1991, Michael Jordan has appeared in over 20 commercials for Gatorade, including the "Be Like Mike" commercials.
1992: Super Bowl Commercial & Music Video Appearance
In 1992, Michael Jordan appeared in a Nike Super Bowl commercial with Bugs Bunny and in the music video for Michael Jackson's "Jam".
1992: Second NBA Title
In 1992, Michael Jordan secured his second NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.
1992: Olympic Gold Medal
In 1992, Michael Jordan won a gold medal at the Tournament of the Americas and the Summer Olympics.
1992: Regular Season Performance
In the 1992 season, Jordan played exceptionally well with 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 5.5 apg campaign, including a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting
1992: Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 7
Jordan played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with the New York Knicks.
July 23, 1993: Murder of James R. Jordan Sr.
On July 23, 1993, Jordan's father, James R. Jordan Sr., was murdered at a highway rest area in Lumberton, North Carolina.
October 6, 1993: Jordan Announces Retirement
On October 6, 1993, Michael Jordan announced his retirement from basketball, citing a loss of desire to play.
1993: Gambling Allegations Surface
During the 1993 NBA playoffs, Jordan was seen gambling in Atlantic City and faced allegations of significant gambling debts, sparking controversy.
1993: Bulls without Jordan
In 1993 the Bulls went 55–27 without Jordan in the lineup and lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs.
1993: Third NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 1993, Jordan and the Bulls won their third NBA championship, with Jordan averaging a Finals-record 41.0 ppg and becoming the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.
1993: Third NBA Title and First Retirement
In 1993, Michael Jordan and the Bulls secured a three-peat, winning their third consecutive NBA title. Jordan abruptly retired from basketball to play Minor League Baseball.
November 1, 1994: Jersey Retirement and Sculpture Erection
On November 1, 1994, the Bulls retired Jordan's No. 23 jersey and erected a permanent sculpture outside the new United Center.
1994: Bulls Without Jordan
In 1994, the Bulls went 55-27 without Jordan in the lineup and lost to the New York Knicks in the second round of the playoffs.
March 18, 1995: Jordan Announces Comeback
On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his comeback to the NBA with a two-word press release: "I'm back."
March 28, 1995: 55 Points at Madison Square Garden
On March 28, 1995, Jordan scored 55 points against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
1995: Aggressive Training
In 1995, Jordan trained aggressively after the playoff defeat.
1995: Opening of Lincoln-Mercury Dealership
In 1995, Michael Jordan's automotive group opened a Lincoln-Mercury dealership.
1995: Commissioner Denies Secret Suspension
In 1995, NBA commissioner David Stern denied rumors that Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension for gambling.
1996: Class of 1996
In 1996, David Thompson was inducted into the Hall of Fame. Michael Jordan selected him to present him at the Hall of Fame induction.
1996: Fourth NBA Title
In 1996, Michael Jordan led the Bulls to their fourth NBA championship and a record 72 regular season wins.
1996: Starred in Space Jam
In 1996, Michael Jordan played himself in the comedy film Space Jam, which was a box office success.
1996: NBA 50th Anniversary Team
In 1996, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team.
1996: Bulls Season Record
In the 1996-97 season, the Bulls stood at a 69-11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69-13.
1997: Fifth NBA Title
In 1997, Michael Jordan secured his fifth NBA title with the Chicago Bulls.
1997: NBA Entertainment Crew Filmed Jordan
In 1997, an NBA Entertainment crew filmed Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities. The project was delayed for many years because Jordan had not yet given his permission for the footage to be used.
1998: Remarks to Wizards Owner
During the 1998 labor dispute, Michael Jordan reportedly told Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin that teams unable to make a profit should be sold.
1998: Sixth NBA Championship and Finals MVP
In 1998, Jordan led the Bulls to their sixth NBA championship, earning his sixth Finals MVP award and solidifying the highest television rating for any Finals series.
1998: Autobiography Release
In 1998, Jordan wrote in his autobiography "For the Love of the Game" that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.
1998: Sixth NBA Title
In 1998, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their sixth NBA championship.
1998: The 1998 NBA Playoffs
In 1998, Michael Jordan participated in the NBA playoffs. This was a period of Jordan's career that was featured in the IMAX documentary titled "Michael Jordan to the Max".
January 13, 1999: Second Retirement
On January 13, 1999, Jordan retired for the second time, citing factors such as Phil Jackson's contract expiring and the looming departures of key teammates.
January 1999: Claim of No Return
In January 1999, Jordan claimed he was "99.9% certain" he would never play another NBA game.
January 1999: Jordan's Second Retirement
In January 1999, Michael Jordan retired for the second time from the NBA.
1999: Greatest North American Athlete
In 1999, ESPN named Michael Jordan the 20th century's greatest North American athlete.
January 19, 2000: Joins Wizards as Executive
On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA as part owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards.
2000: Subject of IMAX Documentary
In 2000, Michael Jordan was the subject of an IMAX documentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, titled Michael Jordan to the Max.
2001: Kwame Brown Draft
In 2001, Jordan used the first pick in the NBA draft to select Kwame Brown, a decision that faced criticism later on.
2001: Jordan Returns with Wizards
In 2001, Michael Jordan returned to the NBA for two seasons as a member of the Washington Wizards.
2001: Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Begins
In 2001, Michael Jordan started hosting the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, an annual golf tournament to raise money for various charities.
2001: Interest in Comeback
In the summer of 2001, Jordan expressed interest in making another comeback, inspired by Mario Lemieux.
January 4, 2002: First Divorce Filing
On January 4, 2002, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled shortly thereafter.
2002: Possible Influence on Trade
In 2002, Jordan's previous tenure produced mixed results and may have influenced the trade of Richard "Rip" Hamilton for Jerry Stackhouse.
2002: ACC 50th Anniversary Team Selection
In 2002, Michael Jordan was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team.
May 7, 2003: Fired by the Wizards
On May 7, 2003, Michael Jordan was fired from his role as Director of Basketball Operations by Wizards owner Abe Pollin.
2003: Jordan's final NBA season
In 2003, Michael Jordan played his final season in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
2004: Owner of Michael Jordan Motorsports
Since 2004, Michael Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional motorcycle road racing team.
2005: Jordan Discusses Gambling
In 2005, Jordan discussed his gambling with Ed Bradley of 60 Minutes and admitted that he made reckless decisions.
June 15, 2006: Minority Stake in Charlotte Bobcats
On June 15, 2006, Michael Jordan bought a minority stake in the Charlotte Bobcats, becoming the team's second-largest shareholder and taking control of basketball operations.
July 21, 2006: Ruling in Karla Knafel Case
On July 21, 2006, a judge determined that Michael Jordan did not owe Karla Knafel $5 million in a breach of contract claim.
December 29, 2006: Final Divorce Decree
On December 29, 2006, Michael Jordan and Juanita Vanoy were granted a final decree of dissolution of marriage.
2006: Part-owner of Charlotte Hornets
In 2006, Michael Jordan became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the Charlotte Hornets (then named the Bobcats).
2006: Commissioner Denies Secret Suspension Again
In 2006, NBA commissioner David Stern once again denied rumors that Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension for gambling.
2008: Named Chief Wish Ambassador
In 2008, The Make-A-Wish Foundation named Michael Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador.
2008: Yearly Endorsement Income
Since 2008, Michael Jordan's yearly income from endorsements has been estimated to be over $40 million.
June 2009: Earnings Between June 2009 and June 2010
Between June 2009 and June 2010, Michael Jordan earned $55 million.
June 2009: Closure of Lincoln-Mercury Dealership
In June 2009, Michael Jordan's Lincoln-Mercury dealership closed.
August 2009: Michael Jordan Exhibit Opens at Hall of Fame
In August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened a Michael Jordan exhibit in Springfield, Massachusetts, showcasing items from his college and NBA careers, as well as the 1992 "Dream Team".
September 2009: Induction into the Hall of Fame
In September 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He selected David Thompson to present him and gave an emotional speech, which was captured by the Associated Press, later becoming the "Crying Jordan" Internet meme.
2009: Hall of Fame Induction
In 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.
February 2010: Seeking Majority Ownership of Bobcats
In February 2010, Michael Jordan sought majority ownership of the Charlotte Bobcats and reached an agreement to buy the team.
June 2010: Ranked as 20th-Most-Powerful Celebrity
In June 2010, Michael Jordan was ranked by Forbes as the 20th-most-powerful celebrity in the world.
2010: Controlling Interest in Charlotte Hornets
In 2010, Michael Jordan bought a controlling interest in the Charlotte Hornets.
2010: Hall of Fame Induction and North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
In 2010, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 'Dream Team'. He was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
2010: Documentary Director Dismisses Suspension Theory
In 2010, Ron Shelton, director of "Jordan Rides the Bus", stated that research convinced him the suspension theory was nonsense.
2011: NBA Lockout Stance
During the 2011 NBA lockout, Michael Jordan led a group of owners advocating for capping the players' share of basketball-related income, leading to criticism.
2011: Bobcats' Poor Record
In 2011, during the 2011-12 NBA season the Bobcats posted a 7–59 record which was the worst in NBA history.
April 27, 2013: Marriage to Yvette Prieto
On April 27, 2013, Michael Jordan married Yvette Prieto at Bethesda-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church.
November 30, 2013: Expecting First Child with Prieto
On November 30, 2013, it was announced that Michael Jordan and Yvette Prieto were expecting their first child together.
2013: End of Motorsports Team
In 2013, Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional motorcycle road racing team, ended the season.
2013: Granted 200th Wish
In 2013, Michael Jordan granted his 200th wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
2013: Hornets Name Change
In 2013, the Charlotte Bobcats became known as the Hornets.
February 11, 2014: Birth of Twin Daughters
On February 11, 2014, Yvette Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters, Victoria and Ysabel.
June 2014: First NBA Player Billionaire
In June 2014, Michael Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire.
2014: Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational Ends
In 2014, Michael Jordan concluded hosting the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, an annual golf tournament that raised money for various charities since 2001.
January 20, 2015: Business Person of the Year
On January 20, 2015, Michael Jordan was honored with the Charlotte Business Journal's Business Person of the Year for 2014.
2015: FIBA Hall of Fame Induction
In 2015, Michael Jordan was inducted as an individual member of the FIBA Hall of Fame.
2015: Highest Income Retired Athlete
In 2015, Michael Jordan's income was an estimated $110 million, the most of any retired athlete.
2015: Warriors break Bulls Record
Two decades later, in the 2015-2016 season, the Golden State Warriors broke the Bulls' record of 72-10.
2016: First Billionaire Player and Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
2016: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2016, Michael Jordan was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.
2017: Highest Career Earnings Athlete
In 2017, Forbes designated Michael Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings.
2017: Jordan Funds Family Clinics
In 2017, Michael Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a $7 million donation.
2018: Closure of Steakhouse in New York
In 2018, Michael Jordan's steakhouse in New York City's Grand Central Terminal closed.
2019: Raised Over $5 Million for Make-A-Wish
As of 2019, Michael Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
2019: Sale of Minority Piece of Hornets
During the 2019 NBA offseason, Michael Jordan sold a minority piece of the Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, retaining the majority for himself.
2019: Became a Grandfather
In 2019, Michael Jordan became a grandfather when his daughter Jasmine gave birth to a son.
2019: Donated to Hurricane Dorian Relief
In 2019, Michael Jordan gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery following Hurricane Dorian.
May 2020: The Last Dance Debuts
In May 2020, The Last Dance, a 10-part TV documentary, debuted on ESPN, covering the period of Jordan's life from 1997-98.
June 5, 2020: Jordan Announces Donation for Racial Equality
On June 5, 2020, following the murder of George Floyd, Michael Jordan and his brand announced they would donate $100 million over 10 years to organizations dedicated to ensuring racial equality, social justice, and greater access to education.
August 2020: Sneakers Auctioned for Record Price
In August 2020, the shoes Michael Jordan wore when he shattered the backboard in 1985 were auctioned for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers.
September 2020: Investor and Advisor for DraftKings
In September 2020, Michael Jordan became an investor and advisor for DraftKings.
September 21, 2020: NASCAR Team Announcement
On September 21, 2020, Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin announced they would field a NASCAR Cup Series team with Bubba Wallace driving, starting in the 2021 season.
2020: The Last Dance documentary
In 2020, Michael Jordan was the central focus of the Emmy-winning documentary series The Last Dance.
February 2021: Jordan Funds Family Clinics in New Hanover County
In February 2021, Michael Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics in New Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.
October 2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In October 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, honoring his contributions to basketball.
2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team
In 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
2021: Inaugural NASCAR Season
In 2021, Michael Jordan's NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, began competition in the NASCAR Cup Series with Bubba Wallace driving No. 23.
2021: Record Ticket Stub Sale
In 2021, a ticket stub from Michael Jordan's NBA debut game sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.
September 2022: Jersey Sold for $10.1 Million
In September 2022, Michael Jordan's jersey from the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, becoming the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia in history.
December 2022: NBA MVP Trophy Named in Jordan's Honor
In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new MVP trophy named in Michael Jordan's honor, replacing the original trophy.
2022: Appeared in The Captain
In 2022, Michael Jordan appeared in the miniseries The Captain, which follows the life and career of Derek Jeter.
August 2023: Sale of Majority Stake in Hornets Finalized
In August 2023, Michael Jordan finalized the sale of his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner.
2023: Juanita's Divorce Settlement Equivalent
In 2023, Juanita's $168 million settlement was equivalent to $254 million.
2023: Donated to Make-A-Wish
In 2023, Michael Jordan donated $10 million to the Make-A-Wish Foundation for his 60th birthday.
2023: Sale of Majority Stake in Hornets
In 2023, Michael Jordan sold his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets.
2023: Third Car in Daytona 500
In 2023, Michael Jordan's NASCAR team, 23XI Racing, fielded a third car, No. 67, driven by Travis Pastrana in the Daytona 500.
2024: Jordan Funds Opening of Novant Health Clinic
In 2024, Michael Jordan funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington.
2024: NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship
In 2024, Reddick won the NASCAR Cup Series regular season championship, the first for the team.
2025: Estimated Net Worth
As of 2025, Michael Jordan's net worth is estimated at $3.5 billion by Forbes, making him one of the richest celebrities.
2025: Acquisition of Third Charter
In 2025, 23XI Racing acquired a third charter from the defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, the No. 35 driven by Riley Herbst.
