October 22nd 2023.
The NBA business is thriving, and it's no surprise that its superstar players are making a pretty penny. According to Forbes' list of the highest paid players, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is the highest earner, bringing in a combined sum of $117.6 million from both on-court and off-court earnings.
James' income comes from various sources, such as his endorsements with Taco Bell, Nike, and his position as the largest shareholder in Springhill Company, a television and movie production business. These deals have made James the first active NBA player to be listed on Forbes Billionaire list. He has been number one on the list for the past decade.
Following James is Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Wardell Curry. He's earned a total of $101.9 million, split evenly between his on-court and off-court earnings. Curry is the first basketball player to make more than $50 million from on-court earnings. To add to his income, Curry has invested in various companies, including UnderArmour, where he was given a $75 million stock option. However, his investment in the fraudulent FTX cryptocurrency company has taken a toll on his off-court earnings.
Third on the list is Kevin Durant. He's earned $46.4 million from playing basketball and an additional $45 million from his off-court endeavors, largely from his Boardroom media company. Durant also owns and is the principal owner of the Brooklyn Aces, a team in Major League Pickleball. He has a lifetime deal with Nike and an appearance in the Call Of Duty video game series.
The NBA has three of the top ten spots on the list, with the rest being held by international football players. Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to the top spot after his move to Al-Nassr FC. If Kylian Mbappé gets the rumored $1.1 billion lifetime contract he's being offered by Paris Saint-Germain, the list could potentially undergo a huge shift. Footballers, compared to NBA players, make most of their money on the pitch. Mbappé's $100 million salary almost eclipses the total salaries of the NBA players.
LeBron James is also set to release a children's book in 2024. Titled 'I Am More Than', it is aimed to inspire kids to dream big and overcome barriers. With the NBA's success and its star players' booming income, it's clear that the future of the business looks very bright.
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