Chicago bulls

[janeevans]

What Chiago bulls player was the world's highest-paid athlete at the START OF THE 21st CENTURY?

Thanks for any help

[shammydodger]

Michael Jordan (basketball)

[janeevans]

Thanks, that is what I think but couldn't find anything saying the start of the 21st century.

[shammydodger]

Jane. I think that can be the only answer, even though at the start of the 21st century (whether you take 01/01/2000 or 01/01/2001 as the start), Jordan was arguably not an athlete and certainly was no longer with the Bulls. He had retired from the Bulls and from all Basketball on January 13th 1999 and became part owner and president of Washington Wizards on January 19th 2000. On 25th September 2001, he announced his comeback and played for the Wizards. So, at the start of this century, he was not playing. However, he would certainly have been earning many millions still from his endorsement contracts. I can't think of any other Bulls player of that time who would have had anywhere near his earning power, not even Scottie Pippen.