Michael Jordan, Jerry Richardson top list of highest-paid ex-athletes

Michael Jordan and Jerry Richardson have more in common than owning Charlotte sports teams: Both topped Forbes magazine’s latest list of highest-paid retired athletes.

Jordan, the former NBA superstar who owns the Charlotte Hornets, led the list with $100 million in earnings in 2014, mostly from sports apparel and equipment maker Nike. That’s more than the $94 million Jordan made in 15 years of playing for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards, Forbes said.

Richardson, the former NFL player who owns the Carolina Panthers, was No. 5 on the list with $23 million in earnings. The magazine estimated income Richardson made from Panthers distributions and a stake he holds in one of the largest franchises in the Bojangles’ restaurant chain.

This story was originally published March 11, 2015 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Michael Jordan, Jerry Richardson top list of highest-paid ex-athletes."