By Cathy Burke From Newsmax

Michael Jordan is No. 4 on Forbes’ annual list of richest American celebrities, with a net worth of $1.7 billion from a sneaker fortune and a 90 percent stake in the lucrative Charlotte Hornets basketball team.

Jordan jumped into the mega-rich Top 10 along with fellow sports superstar Tiger Woods, who tied at No. 9 with writer James Patterson, both with an $800 million net worth. 

For Jordan, the ranking illustrated a $300 million net worth increase from 2017, partially because of the rising value of NBA franchises and also from revenues derived from the marketing of Air Jordans and other athletic gear, ESPN noted.

Woods’ net worth rose from $750 million in 2017. He made $5,443,841 in earnings on the PGA Tour in 2018, much of it from sponsorships with additional income from course design fees, ESPN reported.

Star Wars creator George Lucas topped the Forbes rich-list, with a net worth of $5.4 billion. Coming in at No. 2 was fellow filmmaker Steven Spielberg, with $3.7 billion; media mogul Oprah Winfey was in the No. 3 spot with $2.8 billion.

Kylie Jenner and rapper Jay-Z tied for the No. 5, both worth $900 million. Magician David Copperfield had No. 7 up his sleeve, with a net worth of $875 million, and rapper Diddy nailed down No. 8, with $825 million.

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