How Michael Jordan Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Michael Jordan across different fields.

Michael Jordan, also known as MJ, is an American businessman and former professional basketball player widely considered one of the greatest of all time. He played 15 seasons in the NBA, primarily with the Chicago Bulls, winning six NBA championships. Jordan's exceptional athletic abilities, competitive spirit, and charismatic personality made him a global icon, instrumental in popularizing basketball and the NBA worldwide during the 1980s and 1990s. He is also a successful businessman.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1976: ABA-NBA Merger

Since 1976, the year of the ABA–NBA merger, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.

November 1984: Comparisons to Julius Erving

By November 1984, Michael Jordan's talent was clear in his first NBA season; he was being compared to Julius Erving.

1984: Introduction of Air Jordan Sneakers

In 1984, Nike introduced Air Jordan sneakers, which were endorsed by Michael Jordan and became highly successful.

(Men's) Air Jordan 1 Retro High OG 'Metallic Gold' (2024) DZ5485-071 11

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1987: Slam Dunk Contest Championship

In 1987, Michael Jordan won his first Slam Dunk Contest championship. This athletic achievement influenced a generation of young players.

1988: Back-to-Back Slam Dunk Contest Championship

In 1988, Michael Jordan won his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest championship. This further solidified his influence on a generation of young basketball players.

1992: Olympic Gold Medal

Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the 1992 U.S. men's basketball team, representing the last third of the basketball Triple Crown.

November 1, 1994: Jordan's Number Retired by the Bulls

On November 1, 1994, Michael Jordan's No. 23 was retired by the Chicago Bulls during a ceremony that included the unveiling of a permanent sculpture called The Spirit outside the new United Center.

September 1996: Named Greatest Athlete of the Past 50 Years by Sport

In September 1996, Michael Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years in the 50th-anniversary issue of Sport publication.

1996: Jordan Founds Boys & Girls Club

In 1996, Michael Jordan founded a Chicago-area Boys & Girls Club and dedicated it to his father.

1996: 50 Greatest Players

In 1996, Michael Jordan was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

1996: NBA 50th Anniversary Team

In 1996, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary Team.

1998: Sixth NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 1998, with 5.2 seconds left in Game 6, Michael Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career, a top-key jumper over Bryon Russell, to give Chicago an 87–86 lead. The Bulls won their sixth NBA championship, achieving their second three-peat of the decade. Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time, averaging 33.5 points per game. The 1998 Finals holds the highest television rating of any Finals series, and Game 6 holds the highest television rating of any game in NBA history.

1998: Autobiography Reveals Early Retirement Thoughts

In his 1998 autobiography, For the Love of the Game, Michael Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.

For the Love of the Game - My Story By Michael Jordan

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December 1999: Ranked Greatest North American Athlete of the 20th Century

In December 1999, Michael Jordan was ranked the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century in an ESPN survey of journalists, athletes, and sports figures. He was also voted the greatest basketball player of the 20th century by the Associated Press and placed second to Babe Ruth in the AP's list of 20th-century athletes.

1999: Greatest North American Athlete of the 20th Century

In 1999, ESPN named Michael Jordan the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.

2001: Comparison to Shaquille O'Neal

During the 2001 NBA Finals, Phil Jackson compared Michael Jordan's dominance to Shaquille O'Neal, saying that Jordan would get fouled on every play but still had to play through it and rise to the occasion.

2001: Annual Golf Tournament

From 2001 to 2014, Michael Jordan hosted an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, to raise money for various charities.

2002: Tributes Paid

During the 2002-03 NBA season, tributes were paid to Michael Jordan throughout the NBA in recognition that it would be his final season.

2002: Named to ACC 50th Anniversary Team

In 2002, Michael Jordan was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team, honoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history.

April 11, 2003: Miami Heat Jersey Retirement

On April 11, 2003, the Miami Heat retired Michael Jordan's No. 23 jersey, even though he never played for the team, as a tribute to his career.

April 16, 2003: Final NBA Game

On April 16, 2003, Michael Jordan played his final NBA game in Philadelphia. He scored his final points from the free throw line and received a three-minute standing ovation when he was subbed out with one second left in the game.

2008: Endorsement Income Exceeds $40 Million

As of 2008, Michael Jordan's yearly income from endorsements was estimated to be over $40 million, in addition to the impact on ticket sales and player salary.

August 2009: Michael Jordan Exhibit Opens at Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit featuring items from his college and NBA careers, as well as memorabilia from the 1992 "Dream Team" and a baseball glove representing his time in Minor League Baseball.

September 2009: Induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In September 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, with David Thompson presenting him. His emotional speech spawned the "Crying Jordan" Internet meme.

2009: Inducted into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

In 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame for his individual career and into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

2010: Second 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" and also became a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

2013: Granted 200th Wish

In 2013, Michael Jordan granted his 200th wish for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

2014: Annual Golf Tournament

From 2001 to 2014, Michael Jordan hosted an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, to raise money for various charities.

2015: FIBA Hall of Fame Induction

In 2015, Michael Jordan was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame as an individual member.

2016: First Billionaire NBA Player

In 2016, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama.

2017: "Dream Team" Induction into FIBA Hall of Fame

In 2017, Michael Jordan was inducted to FIBA Hall of Fame as a member of the "Dream Team".

August 2020: Shoes Auctioned for Record Price

In August 2020, the shoes Michael Jordan wore during the August 26, 1985, Nike exhibition game were auctioned for $615,000, setting a record for a pair of sneakers.

October 2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.

2021: Ticket Stub Sold at Auction for Record Price

In 2021, a ticket stub from Michael Jordan's NBA debut game on October 26, 1984, sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.

September 2022: Jersey from 1998 NBA Finals Sells for Record $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, setting a record as the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia in history.

December 2022: NBA Unveils New 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 named after Maurice Podoloff. This new trophy would be awarded starting with the 2022–23 season.

2022: NBA Finals Television Ratings Remain Below Jordan Era Peak

As late as 2022, the NBA Finals television ratings had not returned to the level reached during Michael Jordan's last championship-winning season, highlighting his lasting impact on the game's popularity.