Michael Jordan highest-paid retired sportsman | CNN (2024)

CNN —

Few people are able to jump as high as Michael Jordan – and it seems that goes for earnings in retirement too.

The 53-year-old basketball legend remains on top of the Forbes highest paid retired athletes list, comfortably easing out former English soccer player David Beckham and golf star Arnold Palmer in the process.

Jordan earned $110 million in 2015 thanks to sales of Nike’s Jordan brand increasing by 14%, according to Forbes. He also maintains lucrative relationships with brands such as Hanes, Gatorade, Five Star Fragrances and Upper Deck and is worth an estimated $1.1 billion despite retiring 13 years ago.

Beckham was the second-highest earning star of the past year, up a place from 2013. The former Manchester United, Real Madrid and LA Galaxy player pulled in a cool $65 million thanks in part to partnerships with fashion brand Kent & Curwen and Chinese real estate firm Luneng.

Ex-England captain Beckham is also seeking to start an MLS soccer franchise in Miami as part of the U.S. league’s planned expansion.

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Highest-paid retired athletes of 2015

02:45 - Source: CNN

Palmer took third spot with earnings of $40 million courtesy of his chain of golf equipment stores and drinks line. Former NBA star Junior Bridgeman ($32 million) and ex-American football player Jerry Richardson ($30 million) closed out the top five.

Bridgeman continues to rake in a handy sum from his longstanding investment in restaurant franchises. Richardson has also had success in the restaurant business and is the owner of the Carolina Panthers NFL franchise to boot.

The richest former athlete on the list, with an estimated net-worth of $1.5 billion, is Roger Penske. But the former race car driver and owner of the Penske Automotive Group only ranked eighth in 2015 earnings ($20 million), according to Forbes.

Forbes’ earning estimates include salaries, endorsem*nts, licensing, speaking appearances, golf course design, book deals and partner distributions throughout 2015.

Other notable names on the list of 14 athletes include golfers Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, soccer superstar Pele and basketball greats Shaquille O’Neal and Ervin “Magic” Johnson. Li Na of China was the only woman and former tennis star on the list.

Read: Highest-paid NBA players 2016

Read: World’s richest 100 athletes

Read: World’s most valuable sports clubs

Money's money —

Floyd Mayweather, nicknamed "Money," has raked in $300 million (£194 million) in the past 12 months to top the Forbes list.

Manny's money —

Manny Pacquiao's $160m haul took him from 11th last year to second this time.

Madrid's highest-paid —

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo made $79.6m over the last 12 months.

Triple celebration —

Lionel Messi, who led Barcelona to a trophy treble of the La Liga title, Spanish Cup and Champions League, made $22m of his total $73.8m earnings from off-pitch deals.

Federer's finances —

Tennis legend Roger Federer made $67m, $58m of it from sponsorship deals with firms including Nike and Rolex.

Basketball's best —

Basketball star LeBron James ($64.8m) occupies sixth place.

Magnificent seventh —

Fellow basketball star Kevin Durant ($54.1m) is in seventh place.

In the swing of things —

Phil Mickelson, of the United States, made $50.8m. He's pictured in action during the 2015 Masters at Augusta.

Tigerish persistence —

Tiger Woods was ninth on the list, despite a wretched run of form on the course, with $600,000 of his $50.6m coming from golf earnings.

Basketball haul —

Kobe Bryant's $64.8m haul included $23.5m in salary and winnings.

Sharapova shines —

Russia Maria Sharapova is the highest placed of only two women on the list, with her $29.7m putting her in 26th.

Parisian style —

Serena Williams poses on court after triumphing in the 2015 French Open final in Paris. Her 20th Grand Slam title put her earnings for the 12 months at $24.6m, leaving her 47th on the Forbes list.

The Forbes list: The highest-paid 100 athletes in the world