Report: Michael Jordan made $480M off Nike from 2000-2012

The Air Jordan I was just the beginning.

Since then, the iconic Nike "Swoop" logo has been inexorably strapped to the feet of the greatest player of all time. Their partnership spawned an entire line in Jordan's name, and has kept the Nike brand atop the NBA-related merchandising game.

It has also made both parties rich - especially Jordan. As reported by Kim Janssen of the Chicago Tribune, Nike has paid Jordan $480 million between 2000 and 2012.

But Nike is just one of many sources of endorsement funds funneling into Jordan's massive coffers.

From the Tribune:

Jordan, wearing a brown-checked sport coat and brown slacks, sat with his chin resting on his left hand and showed no emotion as his attorney, Fred Sperling, outlined during a half-hour opening statement the staggering sums that corporate America has continued to pay Jordan since his 2003 retirement. Nike paid Jordan $480 million between 2000 and 2012, he said. He has also received $18 million from Gatorade, $14 million each from Hanes and Upper Deck, and $10.6 million from fragrance company XEL.

Jordan is currently embroiled in a civil trial concerning a now-defunct grocery store chain.

The Tribune's report helps account for nearly half of Forbes.com's estimation of Jordan's $100 million per annum earnings. To put that figure into perspective, Forbes.com pegged Kobe Bryant's total earnings last season, including both NBA salary and endorsements, at $49.5 million. Jordan casts a shadow, even in retirement.

Most of Jordan's burgeoning endorsements are tied to the success of the Jordan brand, which grew an estimated 17 percent last season. That's not difficult to imagine given its impressive roster of premier athletes. Names like Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, and Kawhi Leonard highlight a star-studded list of Jordan brand clientele.

And, of course, Jordan also owns the Charlotte Hornets, which Forbes valued at $725 million in January of 2015.

- With h/t to Eye on Basketball