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, often known as MJ, is a businessman and former professional basketball and baseball player. Dominating the NBA from 1984-2003, he secured six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Jordan is widely considered one of the greatest basketball players ever. He played a key role in globally popularizing the sport and the NBA in the 80s and 90s, becoming a global icon. As of 2025, he is also the world's richest athlete.

Sections (6)

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

1969: Willis Reed MVP sweep

In the 1969–70 NBA season, Willis Reed completed the first sweep of the MVP awards in the All-Star Game, regular season, and NBA Finals.

1976: Jordan one of only two players since ABA–NBA merger to win six NBA Finals playing for one team

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.

November 1984: Jordan Compared to Julius Erving

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

1984: Nike Created Air Jordan

In 1984, Nike created a signature shoe for Michael Jordan, called the Air Jordan. One of his more popular commercials for the shoe involved Spike Lee playing the part of Mars Blackmon: Lee, as Blackmon, attempted to find the source of Jordan's abilities and became convinced that "it's gotta be the shoes".

1984: Introduction of Air Jordan Sneakers

In 1984, Nike introduced Air Jordan sneakers, endorsed by Michael Jordan, which became a major success.

1984: Jordan Wins Gold in 1984

Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. men's basketball team in 1984.

August 26, 1985: Backboard Shattering Dunk

On August 26, 1985, during a Nike exhibition game in Trieste, Italy, Michael Jordan shattered the glass of the backboard with a dunk, an important milestone in his rise. The moment was filmed.

April 20, 1986: Jordan Scores 63 Points Against Boston Celtics

On April 20, 1986, Michael Jordan established a single game playoff record of 63 points against the Boston Celtics, leading Larry Bird to describe him as "God disguised as Michael Jordan".

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 with Bugs Bunny

During 1992's Super Bowl XXVI, a Nike commercial featured Michael Jordan and Bugs Bunny playing basketball together.

1992: Jordan Wins Gold in 1992

Michael Jordan won an Olympic gold medal with the U.S. men's basketball team in 1992.

September 1996: Jordan Named Greatest Athlete of Past 50 Years

In the September 1996 issue of Sport, Michael Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years.

1996: Jordan 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.

1998: Jordan Known as a Clutch Performer

By 1998, the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, Michael Jordan was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer.

1998: Played in the NBA Finals

In September 2022, Jordan's jersey in which he played 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 1999: Jordan Ranked Among Greatest Athletes of 20th Century

In December 1999, the Associated Press voted Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of the 20th century and placed him second to Babe Ruth in its list of 20th century athletes.

1999: Greatest North American Athlete

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

2001: Phil Jackson Compared Jordan to Shaquille O'Neal

During the 2001 NBA Finals, Phil Jackson compared Michael Jordan's dominance to Shaquille O'Neal, noting that Jordan had to overcome fouls to perform.

2002: Named Greatest Athlete in ACC History

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

2002: Tributes Paid to Jordan

In 2002-03, with the recognition that it would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him throughout the NBA.

April 11, 2003: Miami Heat Retired Jordan's 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 from teammates, opponents, and fans.

2008: Jordan's Yearly Income from Endorsements

Since 2008, Michael Jordan's yearly income from endorsements is estimated at over $40 million.

June 2009: Earnings Between June 2009 and June 2010

Between June 2009 and June 2010, Michael Jordan earned $55 million, as reported by Forbes in June 2010.

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

In August 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame opened a Michael Jordan exhibit.

September 2009: Jordan's Hall of Fame Induction Speech

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 would later go viral on social media as the "Crying Jordan" meme.

2009: Hall of Fame Induction (Individual)

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

June 2010: Ranked as 20th-Most-Powerful Celebrity

In June 2010, Forbes ranked Michael Jordan as the 20th most powerful celebrity in the world, noting he earned $55 million between June 2009 and June 2010.

2010: Hall of Fame Induction (Dream Team)

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, also known as "The Dream Team".

June 2014: Named First NBA Billionaire

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

2014: First Billionaire NBA Player

In 2014, Michael Jordan became the first billionaire player in NBA history.

2015: Highest Income for Retired Athlete

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

2015: Warriors Break Bulls' Record

In the 2015–16 season, the Golden State Warriors broke the Bulls' record of 72–10, which was set in the 1995–96 season.

2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

2016: Jordan Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom

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

2017: Highest Career Earnings

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

August 2020: Sneakers Auctioned for Record Price

In August 2020, the shoes Michael Jordan wore during the backboard-shattering dunk game on August 26, 1985, were auctioned for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers.

2020: The Last Dance Documentary

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

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October 2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team

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

2021: Jordan 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

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 Price

In September 2022, Michael Jordan's jersey in which he played 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 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, to be awarded beginning with the 2022–23 season, replacing the original trophy named after Maurice Podoloff.