Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Are Still Commanding Top Dollar, Even in Retirement
While there have been plenty of dynamic duos in the history of sports, few pairings were better than Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. During their time on the Chicago Bulls, the two men dominated the competition; even if you weren’t a fan, it’s impossible to argue with their six NBA titles.
Even though it’s been quite some time since Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen have hit the hardwood together, they’re still able to command top dollar. If there’s any doubt about that, you don’t need to look any further than a recent auction.
Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan were an incredible pair with the Chicago Bulls
Whether you’re a diehard basketball fan or a casual observer, it’s not exactly groundbreaking to say that Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen were a dynamic duo. That familiarity, however, shouldn’t devalue just how well they played together.
After his time at the University of North Carolina, Jordan arrived in Chicago as a legitimate star; while it took him some time to win an NBA title, his talent was plain to see. Pippen’s early career, however, was a bit different. Despite making a name for himself at the University of Central Arkansas, the forward was still fairly raw when he reached the pros.
Jordan, however, saw Pippen’s potential and helped whip him into shape. Before long, the forward had developed into the perfect complementary player; he was a lock-down defender but still had enough offensive talent to take some of the weight off MJ’s shoulders.
While the two men eventually parted ways, their time in Chicago was nothing short of a historic success. They combined to win six titles, with a three-peat coming on either side of Jordan’s retirement, earning a place in NBA history.
Both men did well for themselves financially
As you might imagine, Michael Jordan reaped the financial rewards of being one of the most famous people on the planet. While Scottie Pippen might not have the same level of fame and fortune, he still did pretty well for himself.
During his time on the hardwood, Jordan made a relatively small salary of just under $90 million; he only truly cashed in during his final two seasons with the Chicago Bulls. MJ has made a killing off the court, though, endorsing everything from McDonald’s to underwear, selling sneakers, and, more recently, owning the Charlotte Hornets. These days, the living legend is worth more than $1 billion and doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon.
Pippen actually earned more in raw salary than Jordan, taking home a bit more than $100 million; he hasn’t had the same off-court success as his famous teammate, though. Despite rumors that he declared bankruptcy, the forward is still doing pretty well for himself, with an estimated net worth of $50 million.
Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan are still commanding top dollar, albeit in memorabilia form
While no basketball fan can forget the sight of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen playing together, it’s been quite a while since those two men hit the hardwood. The Chicago Bulls stars, however, are still commanding top dollar, at least in memorabilia form.
At a recent Goldin Auctions event, a one-of-a-kind Upper Deck card went up for grabs; it featured two NBA logos taken from game-worn jerseys, with one belonging to each man, along with their signatures. The collectible ended up selling for $295,200, almost $200,000 over the minimum bid.
Even in 2020, one thing is clear: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen are big names capable of commanding even bigger bucks.
