3. Athlete
ESPNCase Study: Michael Jordan
Country of Citizenship: USA
Net Worth: $1.3 billion (£1 billion)
Michael Jordan is considered to be the greatest basketball player of all time, while his leaping ability has earned him the nicknames Air Jordan and Air Highness. He briefly retired from basketball in 1993 following the murder of his father James Snr, returning in 1995 and starring in the feature film Space Jam in 1996. He retired again in 1999 and permanently in 2003.
Jordan is also known for his product endorsements which include Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers. In 2006, meanwhile, he became part-owner and head of basketball operations for the then Charlotte Bobcats, buying a controlling interest in 2010. He is currently the third richest African American in the world, behind Oprah Winfrey and Robert F. Smith.