Charles Barkley did not make all his money from rebounds and slam dunks; it started with a round of golf and some wise words from Michael Jordan. The Hall of Famer recently shared that a casual conversation with Jordan in the early 1990s led to one of his life’s most profitable financial decisions. Instead of collecting his full Nike salary in cash, Barkley took a risk and followed Jordan’s suggestions.
Jordon gave his stock opinions. “I was making about $3 million a year [from Nike],” Berkeley told The Dan Patrick Show. “We were playing golf and he says, ‘Chuck, I was talking to somebody, I want you to quit taking $3 million. Take $1 million and the other $2 million in stock options,” Barkley checked with his advisors, who warned him it was risky. But he trusted Jordan’s judgement and went for it.
Back then, Nike stock was just $1 or $2 a share. Today it’s over &60. That one decision made Barkley around $50 million. He says he didn’t meet anyone like Jordan and believed in his vision. “I ain’t never seen nobody like that dude,” Berkeley recalled, highlighting how Jordan’s early instincts as a businessman changed how he viewed wealth.
Charles Barkley Follows Michael Jordan’s Vision
Jordan’s influence on Barkley was not a one-off. The six-time NBA champion built a financial empire off the court, mainly through the iconic Jordan Brand. According to Front Office Sports, the Nike subsidiary recently surpassed $ 5 billion in annual revenue. Jordan earns 5% of that, making roughly $250 million a year, more than double what he earned in the NBA salary across 15 seasons.
Berkeley, who initially saw endorsements as simple paychecks, credits Jordan with opening his eyes to long-term investment opportunities. Barkley never considered Stock options, but that decision now stands as one of the most productive pivots in sports business history.
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From golf course advice to boardroom success, Jordon’s business ideas built his brand and quietly enriched his bank account.
Also Read: How Much Is Michael Jordan Really Getting Paid To Join NBC As A Special Contributor? Find Out
