Basketball legend Michael Jordan has splashed out an incredible £53million ($70m) on a luxurious private jet. And it also features a very personalised paint job.
Jordan became a household name in the 1990s after his heroics with the Chicago Bulls saw him win an astonishing six NBA championships. While known for his prowess on the court, the 61-year-old became famous off it for the extraordinary wealth he accrued, mainly thanks to his hugely popular Nike brand, ‘Air Jordan’.
The former fan favourite also has a reputation for forking out big sums of cash. Not long after spending £1.5million ($2m) on a one-of-a-kind Italian sports car, Jordan has now made sure he takes to the skies in style after securing the remarkable jet and giving it a custom-made £382,600 ($500,000) paint job so it resembles one of his Air Jordan trainers.
The six-time NBA Finals MVP is now the owner of a Gulfstream 650ER, which currently holds the record for ‘the farthest fastest flight in business aviation history’, according to its website. In a bid to get the jet resembling a pair of Jordan trainers, he has had the plane coated in a sleek a silver-and-black camo style theme.
Most impressively, Jordan has also had his iconic Jumpman logo emblazoned on the rear of the jet. The tail number also reads N236MJ which is a homage to his famed No 23 jersey, followed by his initials.
The jet boasts a stunning maximum speed of 0.925 Mach and also comes with two flashy Rolls-Royce BR725 engines. However it’s on the inside where Jordan’s lavish new plane really comes to life with the jet able to accommodate up to 19 passengers and four members of crew.
Every passenger can enjoy generously sized beige leather recliners with their own window. There is also a separate area for dining, complete with a fully-stocked bar decked out with LEDs that folds out from the furniture.
While up in the air on long-haul journeys, Jordan has ensured he won’t have to make too many stops as the plane has been modified so it can travel for up to 13 hours before needing to refuel. However such luxury doesn’t come cheap.
The cost of running the jet will keep on coming to Jordan with maintenance set at £1.4m ($1.8m) per year for 200 hours of flying, reports The Sun. Costs also include fuel at £556,657 ($727,338) crew at £263,247 ($343,964) engine overhaul at £146,691 ($191,670) and insurance which comes in at £43,575 ($56,987).
In all, for 400 hours of flying, it’s estimated Jordan will have to pay out just under £2.2m ($3m) to run the plane. However, that’s just a drop in the ocean for a man who’s value comes in even higher than such basketball legends as LeBron James and Steph Curry.
It’s estimated that Jordan is the richest baller of all-time and has a net worth of $3.5bn (£267bn), with the Air Jordan brand itself thought to be worth a mind-blowing $7bn (£5.5bn).
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