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 a celebrated American businessman and former professional basketball player. Renowned for his 15 seasons in the NBA (1984-2003), he secured six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan played a pivotal role in globalizing basketball and the NBA during the 1980s and 1990s. His outstanding athletic abilities and iconic status transformed him into a worldwide cultural phenomenon.

Sections (6)

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

1975: Highest Nielsen rating game

In 1975, Michael Jordan's return to the court had the highest Nielsen rating of any regular season NBA game since 1975.

November 1984: Comparisons to Julius Erving

By November 1984, Michael Jordan was being compared to Julius Erving due to his talent in his first NBA season.

1984: Introduction of Air Jordan Sneakers

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

1987: Slam Dunk Contest championship

In 1987, Michael Jordan won the Slam Dunk Contest championship. His athletic leaping ability influenced a generation of young players.

1988: Back-to-Back Slam Dunk Contest Championships

In 1988, Michael Jordan secured his second consecutive Slam Dunk Contest championship. This display of athleticism influenced a generation of young players.

1991: Appeared in Gatorade Commercials

Since 1991, Michael Jordan appeared in over 20 commercials for Gatorade, including the "Be Like Mike" commercials.

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 in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known as The Spirit outside the new United Center.

September 1996: Named Greatest Athlete of the Past 50 Years

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

1996: David Thompson Class of 1996 Member

In 1996, David Thompson was part of a Hall of Fame Class. Michael Jordan selected Thompson to present him at the Hall of Fame induction in September 2009.

1996: Starred in Space Jam

In 1996, Michael Jordan starred as himself in the film Space Jam.

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1996: Named One of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History

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

1996: NBA 50th Anniversary Team Selection

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

1998: Played the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals

In 1998, Michael Jordan played the opening game of the NBA Finals. His jersey from that game was sold for a record amount in September 2022.

1998: Autobiography published

In 1998, Michael Jordan's autobiography, "For the Love of the Game", was published. In the book, 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 Among the Greatest Athletes of the 20th Century

In December 1999, Michael Jordan was ranked as one of the greatest athletes of the 20th century by ESPN and the Associated Press, solidifying his legacy as a basketball icon.

1999: Greatest North American Athlete of the 20th Century

In 1999, Michael Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete by ESPN.

2001: Comparison to Shaquille O'Neal

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

2002: Named to ACC 50th Anniversary Men's Basketball Team

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

2002: Jordan's Final Season Recognition

Throughout the NBA during the 2002-03 season, tributes were paid to Michael Jordan in recognition of it being his final season.

April 11, 2003: Miami Heat Retires No. 23 Jersey

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

April 16, 2003: Jordan's Final NBA Game

On April 16, 2003, Michael Jordan played in his final NBA game in Philadelphia, scoring 13 points and receiving a standing ovation as he left the court.

2008: Endorsement income exceeds $40 million

In 2008, Michael Jordan's annual income from endorsements was estimated to be over $40 million.

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

In August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit containing items from his college and NBA careers, as well as from the 1992 "Dream Team"; the exhibit also has a batting baseball glove to signify Jordan's short career in the Minor League Baseball.

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

In September 2009, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Hall of Fame, selecting David Thompson to present him. His emotional reaction during his speech, when Jordan began to cry, was captured by Associated Press photographer Stephan Savoia and later went viral as the "Crying Jordan" Internet meme.

2009: Induction 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 the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

June 2010: Ranked as the 20th-most-powerful celebrity by Forbes

In June 2010, Forbes ranked Michael Jordan as the 20th-most-powerful celebrity in the world, estimating his earnings between June 2009 and June 2010 at $55 million.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction

In 2010, Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team and also into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.

June 2014: Named first NBA player to become a billionaire

In June 2014, Michael Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire after increasing his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%.

2015: FIBA Hall of Fame Induction

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

2015: Jordan Brand income estimated at $110 million

In 2015, Michael Jordan's income from the Jordan Brand and endorsements was estimated at $110 million, the most of any retired athlete.

2015: 72-10 record broken

In 2015, The Bulls finished with the best regular season record in NBA history, 72–10, a mark broken two decades later by the 2015–16 Golden State Warriors.

2016: First Billionaire Player in NBA History

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: Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom

In 2016, President Barack Obama honored Michael Jordan with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2017: Designated as athlete with highest career earnings

In 2017, Forbes designated Michael Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings.

2017: FIBA Hall of Fame Induction as "Dream Team" Member

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

August 2020: Shoes from Shattered Backboard Game Auctioned

In August 2020, the shoes Michael Jordan wore during the Nike exhibition game on August 26, 1985, where he shattered a backboard, were auctioned for $615,000.

2020: Featured in The Last Dance

In 2020, Michael Jordan was the central focus of the Emmy-winning documentary series The Last Dance.

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October 2021: Named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In October 2021, Michael Jordan was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, further solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

2021: NBA 75th Anniversary Team Selection

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

2021: Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Michael Jordan was selected 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.

September 2022: Jordan's 1998 NBA Finals Jersey Sold for Record Amount

In September 2022, Michael Jordan's jersey from the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, making it 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 to be awarded beginning with the 2022–23 season.

2022: NBA Finals Television Ratings Still Below Jordan Era Levels

As late as 2022, 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 sport's popularity.