Sports celebrities associated with the National Basketball Association (NBA) are considered some of the top sportspersons in the world. With their tight sports schedules combined with other business commitments and family lives, having a private jet becomes a necessity. This article explores some notable NBA celebrities who own private jets.
1
Michael Jordan
Gulfstream G550
- Capacity: 14–19 passengers / 6,200 lb (2,812 kg) payload
- Length: 96 ft 5 in (29.39 m)
- Wingspan: 93 ft 6 in (28.50 m)
- Height: 25 ft 10 in (7.87 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 91,000 lb (41,277 kg)
- Range: 6,750 NM (7,770 mi, 12,500 km)
- Long Range Cruise: M0.80 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
- Maximum Mach Operating (MMO): Mach 0.885 at 41,000 ft (12,497 m)
- Service ceiling: 51,000 ft (16,000 m)
Michael Jordan needs no introduction when it comes to sports. However, many may not know that the sports celebrity is a full-time entrepreneur who has invested millions in a variety of businesses. With Jordan’s assets worth over $3 billion, he bought a Gulfstream G550 in 2016, worth $16.5 million at the time.
The Gulfstream jet, registered N236MJ, bears the celebrity’s imprint. It has an operational range of 7,940 miles, making it suitable for long distances, including transatlantic flights.
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What Is Your Favorite Celebrity-Owned Aircraft?
Many popular celebrities around the world have become aviation fans. Other celebrities have obviously become popular in the private aviation world, due to their unique private jets and highly customized aircraft. These aircraft resemble the ultimate luxury, and they will sometimes feature interesting liveries or special interior configurations, depending on the celebrity.
Some celebrities that have found a passion for aviation, and have even become pilots themselves, include Jimmy Buffett, Harrison Ford, and John Travolta. Each of these pilots-celebrities owned an extensive fleet and had several different type ratings for flying various types of aircraft. Other celebrities own and operate their own unique private jets. Some of these celebrities include Kylie Jenner and her Bombardier Global 7500, Taylor Swift and her Dassault Falcon 7X, Jay-Z and his Bombardier Challenger 850, and Drake’s Boeing 767. Which celebrity-owned aircraft is the most interesting?
2
LeBron James
Gulfstream G280
- Capacity: seating for 10 in executive style
- Length: 66 ft 10 in (20.3 m)
- Wingspan: 63 ft 0 in (19.2 m)
- Height: 21 ft 4 in (6.5 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 39,600 lb (17,960 kg)
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.84
- Cruise speed: 459 kn (528 mph, 850 km/h) normal cruise at altitude
- Range: 3,600 NM (4,143 mi, 6,667 km) at Mach 0.80 with 4 passengers
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (13,716 m)
LeBron James, also known as “King James,” is one of the greatest players in the sport’s history and travels in style. The player’s hectic schedule between games, practices, and other commitments is made easy through a $22 million Gulfstream G280 private jet. One of the most interesting things about King James’ plane is that it is mostly used to make time for his family.
The humble sporting star is known to not let his children fly in his jet in his absence, teaching them an important lesson about staying humble. The 3,600-mile range aircraft is powered by two Honeywell HTF-7250G turbofan engines, each generating 7,654 lbf (34 kN) of takeoff power.
3
Magic Johnson
Gulfstream III
- Capacity: 19 passengers (standard seating)
- Length: 83 ft 1 in (25.32 m)
- Wingspan: 77 ft 10 in (23.72 m)
- Height: 24 ft 4.5 in (7.430 m)
- Max takeoff weight: 69,700 lb (31,615 kg)
- Maximum speed: 501 kn (577 mph, 928 km/h) (max cruise)
- Cruise speed: 442 kn (509 mph, 819 km/h) (long-range cruise)
- Range: 3,650 NM (4,200 mi, 6,760 km) (eight passengers, IFR reserves)
- Service ceiling: 45,000 ft (14,000 m)
The latest billionaire club entrant among NBA players is Magic Johnson. The celebrity star is known for owning expensive assets, including his $3 million Gulfstream III private jet, a 1982 model generally used for business and leisure trips.
Registered as N32MJ, Johnson’s Gulfstream has an operational range of 4,200 miles. In 2020, following the Dodgers and Lakers Championships titles, the celebrity dedicated his jet’s livery to the two teams. The aircraft had 12 different owners before Johnson purchased it. Two Rolls-Royce Spey RB.163 Mk 511-8 turbofan engines power the aircraft, each generating 11,400 lbf (51 kN) of takeoff thrust.
4
Shaquille O’Neal
Bombardier Challenger 650
- Capacity: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb) and up to 19 passengers
- Length: 20.85 m (68 ft 5 in)
- Wingspan: 19.61 m (64 ft 4 in)
- Height: 6.30 m (20 ft 8 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 21,863 kg (48,200 lb)
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.85
- Range: 7,400 km (4,600 mi, 4,000 NM)
- Service ceiling: 12,000 m (41,000 ft)
Shaquille O’Neal is the owner of over 50 brands, building assets worth over $400 million. With his business acumen and a constant drive to achieve greater, O’Neal shelled out $27 million to purchase a Bombardier Challenger 650 jet. The jet with a 4,600-mile operational range is one of the most modern and luxurious on the market.
Photo: Bombardier
With a sleeping capacity of 8 people, the jet comfortably performs transatlantic routes between North America and Europe. Two General Electric CF34-3B turbofan engines power the Challenger 650, each generating 9,220 lbf (41.0 kN) of thrust.
5
Tracy McGrady
Dassault Falcon 2000
- Capacity: 10 passengers
- Length: 20.23 m (66 ft 4 in)
- Wingspan: 21.38 m (70 ft 2 in)
- Height: 7.11 m (23 ft 4 in)
- Max takeoff weight: 19,414 kg (42,801 lb)
- Maximum speed: Mach 0.85-0.862
- Range: 7,408 km (4,603 mi, 4,000 NM) (6 passengers, 2 crew, Mach .80)
- Service ceiling: 14,326 m (47,001 ft)
Tracy McGrady has invested in a $19 million Dassault Falcon 2000 jet, making his air travel relatively predictable and safe. As quoted by Basketball Network, McGardy states about the purchase of his luxurious jet,
“It was a lot, it was $19 million. So, what happened was that I had a business manager who knew how to structure those deals for me. We talked about it and we made sure we made financial sense to do something like that and I was like ‘Sh*t, let’s go for it.’ I went to Kansas to pick out and see how I wanted the jet to look like,”
Photo: Thor Jorgen Udvang | Shutterstock
The jet is powered by two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW308C turbofan engines, each generating up to 7,000 lbf (31 kN) of thrust at takeoff.