Two of the leading candidates in the debate for the greatest basketball player of all time (GOAT) are set to cross paths in the NBA once again. While Michael Jordan will take on a new role as a commentator, LeBron James is expected to continue playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, barring any major changes to his contract. So, there’s no better time to compare how much money each will be earning.

Jordan had stepped away from the NBA world on August 3, 2023, after selling his majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets. But there’s a reason he retired twice before finally saying goodbye to the court—he clearly loves staying connected to the best basketball league in the world.

NBC announced that it will once again broadcast NBA games starting with the 2025–26 season, and the big surprise was that they managed to bring Michael Jordan on board as a special contributor to their coverage. Naturally, this raised the question: How much will MJ earn as a commentator?

Meanwhile, LeBron James is coming off a season with the Lakers in which they were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. If The King chooses to exercise his player option for the 2025–26 season, he would earn $52.6 million, making it the highest salary of his career to date.

Michael Jordan’s Salary as Analyst vs. LeBron James’ Salary with the Lakers

Michael Jordan and LeBron James. (Photo: Getty Images)

The Instagram account Essentially Sports, which closely follows NBA action, reported that Michael Jordan will earn $40 million per year as a commentator for the world’s best basketball league, while LeBron James is currently earning over $48.7 million with the Los Angeles Lakers. This means that The King is making $8.7 million more than what MJ will earn as a broadcaster.

What Was Michael Jordan’s Highest Salary in the NBA?

In a clear sign of how much times have changed, Michael Jordan’s highest salary in the NBA came during his final season with the Chicago Bulls (1997–98), when he earned $33.1 million.