Michael Jordan Has $2.27 Billion Lead Over LeBron James

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Apr 22, 2025 12:22 PM ET

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a critical Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, the spotlight remains firmly on LeBron James. The 21-time All-Star continues to be the face of the franchise and a central figure in their playoff hopes, even as the Lakers look to bounce back from a rough series opener.

James, who turned 40 this season, is no stranger to pressure. But Game 1 was far from his best showing. He finished with just 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 8-of-18 shooting. He also went scoreless in the first quarter—a first in his postseason career—and was unable to prevent the Lakers from falling 117-95 in the series opener.

Still, as the postseason continues, James has made headlines for more than just his on-court performance.

According to Sportico, LeBron James ranks as the second-highest paid basketball player in history, with an estimated $1.88 billion in career earnings. That figure places him fourth among all athletes, behind only Michael Jordan ($4.15B), Tiger Woods, and Cristiano Ronaldo. He surpasses global icons like Lionel Messi, Jack Nicklaus, and Roger Federer on the list.

50 highest-paid athletes all-time via @Sportico:

▪️ Cutoff $570M (inflation-adjusted)
▪️ Athletes from 8 sports, 16 countries
▪️ 13 NBA, 8 golf
▪️ Serena Williams only woman in top 50

Full list: https://t.co/sKKWpTxGL2 pic.twitter.com/GbqaXVMzkK
— Kurt Badenhausen (@kbadenhausen) April 22, 2025

The only other active NBA player to crack the $1 billion mark is Kevin Durant, who comes in at $1.07 billion in career earnings.

For James, the news only adds another layer to his already historic résumé, albeit with a sizable gap remaining between he and Jordan. But with the Lakers trailing 0-1 in the first-round series, all focus now turns to salvaging a win in Game 2. The Lakers will hope they can even the series ahead of their next two games on the road.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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