US basketball great Michael Jordan has pledged $US5 million ($A6.54 million) to the Smithsonian's new African-American history museum in Washington.
Jordan said in a statement that his gift to the National Museum of African American History and Culture was made possible in part by athletes, including Jesse Owens, who broke racial barriers.
He also donated a jersey he wore during the 1996 NBA Finals to the museum's collection.
Museum director Lonnie Bunch said the gift will aid the museum's vision of exploring how black athletes changed sports and changed American society.
The museum opens on September 24.
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