Aries Spears admits Michael Jordan is the reason why black athletes secure massive NBA deals
Stand-up comedian Aries Spears believes Michael Jordan has been the pioneer for all the black athletes getting big deals.

Michael Jordan with the Chicago Bulls (image via NBA)
NBA legend Michael Jordan is arguably one of the greatest basketball players ever. Many NBA fans, analysts, and superstars consider Jordan the GOAT of basketball, with some even calling him “Black Jesus.” Recently, stand-up comedian Aries Spears discussed Jordan and credited him for the big deals and max contracts NBA players receive today.
Appearing as a guest on Vlad TV, Spears addressed the criticism Jordan has faced for not helping the Black community. He emphasized that Jordan played a significant role in paving the way for NBA players to earn lucrative contracts and was the first global athlete in the NBA.
It always kills me when people go, 'Man, Michael Jordan don't do sh*t for Black people.' Did he not make it possible for all these young Black men in the NBA to now get the endorsements that they get? He kicked open the door. Isiah Thomas, as much as he doesn't like Jordan, he said that. Michael Jordan has kicked open the door for all these young Black a** athletes to now make the money that they're making in endorsements.Aries Spears said
Spears mentioned that many fans came to games just to watch Jordan play, and during his time with the Chicago Bulls, he signed one of the richest contracts in the league.
Spears also discussed Isiah Thomas, who had a well-known rivalry with Jordan. Despite Thomas’s dislike for Jordan, Spears pointed out that even Thomas couldn’t deny the fact that Jordan had significantly helped Black athletes who are now earning great money in their careers. Spears emphasized that Jordan’s success in the NBA was a major contribution to the opportunities and financial success of Black athletes today.
Michael Jordan tops the list of highest paid athletes of all time
While the debate over the GOAT in basketball may continue for decades, there’s no question that Michael Jordan is the highest-paid athlete of all time. He has signed numerous lucrative contracts and endorsement deals, boosting his net worth to billions.
Jordan’s immense wealth isn’t solely from these deals; it also comes from smart investments in various companies. He was a majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets franchise until he sold his stake. However, the bulk of his earnings comes from his partnership with Nike. The Nike Jordan brand, which he co-created, earns him around $250 million annually.
Jordan has a lavish lifestyle and is living one of the best retired lives of any NBA superstar. He is also known to throw out rich parties with only special guests. His success in the NBA has certainly been one of the main reasons for his financial success.
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