Michael Jordan was paid his full $4m NBA contract despite retiring from basketball to play a completely different sport

Michael Jordan retired from basketball to pursue a completely different sport - but he received his full NBA salary from the Chicago Bulls.

At the age of 29, after helping Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA championships, Jordan announced that he was calling time on his career.

The impact the murder of his father earlier in the year had on him led to his passion from basketball dwindling and he made the shock announcement prior to the 1993/94 NBA season.

Instead, he switched sports and signed with Minor League Baseball outfit Chicago White Sox to fulfil his late father's dream.

The deal was an easy one to pull off as the franchise were also owned by Bulls chief Jerry Reinsdorf and signed on the dotted line on February 7 1994.

Jordan participated in spring training in Sarasota, Florida and then found himself in the minor league system, making 127 regular-season appearances for Double-A minor league affiliate Birmingham Barons.

Jordan also represented Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League and managed just three home runs during his stint in baseball.

His baseball exploits happened while he still had an existing contract with the Bulls and that very deal was honoured, with Jordan still getting paid handsomely.

Jordan ended his short-loved spell in baseball to return to the Bulls after fearing he would end up in a replacement player during the strike which was taking place in Major League Baseball.

Michael Jordan had a brief spell playing baseball. Image: Getty

His return was announced in 1995 with a press release which simply said, "I'm back" and initially he returned wearing the No.45 - the jersey he had worn while playing baseball.

After a lull for the Bulls, Jordan picked up where he left off and after a play-off defeat, a highly motivated 'MJ' proceeded to fire his team to another three-peat with championship triumphs in 1996, 1997 and 1998.

Michael Jordan donated full year's NBA salary

Jordan retired for a second time in 1999 and began a run as part owner and president of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards, who he then played for between 2001 and 2003 to finally close out his career.

He gave away a full year's salary, with the money going towards the victims of the September 11 attacks in New York City and their families.

After donating $100,000, Jordan pledged to give the rest of his wage to organisations supporting families who were connected to the horrific tragedy.