Michael Jordan is Forbes magazine's first sports billionaire

Basketball icon Michael Jordan has become the sports world's first billionaire, according to Forbes magazine.

The basketball Hall of Fame star, footwear giant and team owner is now the only athlete in the billionaire’s club.

The financial publication's experts estimate Jordan became a billionaire earlier this year (14), thanks to his increased share in the Charlotte Hornets basketball franchise.

Forbes bosses previously prematurely bestowed the 'billionaire' honor on Tiger Woods, but his fortune dropped after the cheating scandal that ended his marriage cost him major endorsements and money.