Topline
Michael Jordan donated $10 million to Make-A-Wish Foundation, the organization announced Wednesday, calling the billionaire NBA legend’s gift the largest individual contribution in the charity’s history.
Michael Jordan has given more than $15 million to Make-A-Wish.
Key Facts
In a statement, Jordan said his donation to the foundation, dedicated to granting “wishes” to children with life-threatening illnesses, was to honor his upcoming 60th birthday on Friday.
Jordan’s relationship with Make-A-Wish dates back to 1989, early in his playing career with the Chicago Bulls, and he had already donated more than $5 million prior to his most recent gift.
Jordan, who largely built his fortune thanks to his lucrative partnership with Nike, has donated millions of dollars to various causes in recent years, most notably committing $50 million in 2020 to organizations dedicated to pursuing racial equality.
Forbes Valuation
Jordan is worth $1.7 billion, according to Forbes’ calculations, with his net worth coming from his ownership of the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets and his nearly $2 billion in lifetime earnings from Nike and other corporate partners.
Key Background
The Basketball Hall of Famer was the first-ever billionaire athlete and remains one of only three players to cross the 10-figure threshold, with fellow Nike athletes LeBron James and Tiger Woods following in his footsteps. Make-A-Wish has received about $430 million in private donations over the last five years, according to tax filings, making it one of the largest charities in the world.
Further Reading
The Inside Story Of How Michael Jordan Became The World’s Richest Athlete (Forbes)
Michael Jordan And Jordan Brand Pledge $100 Million To Racial Equality (Forbes)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2023/02/15/billionaire-michael-jordan-gifts-10-million-to-make-a-wish/