LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and other NBA stars with $400 million earnings make the Top 10 highest-paid athlete list of 2023

NBA's average salary is $10 million, much higher than the average salary of any other athlete in any sport.

LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and other NBA stars with $400 million earnings make the Top 10 highest-paid athlete list of 2023

LeBron James and Steph Curry (via Los Angeles Times and CBS)

Basketball players are generally some of the highest-paid athletes in the world. The average contract is more than what one achieves in other forms of sports. However, there are some that earn way beyond the average NBA player. And they also happen to be on the list of the top-earning athletes in the world. LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Kevin Durant were named to the Top 10 highest-paid athletes list of 2023 by Sportico. Combined, the four of them earned $400 million.

LeBron James has always been one of the highest-earning basketball players in the world. His salary as well as his endorsement deals usually keep him at the top of the pedestal. However, sometimes a few of his colleagues from around the league join him on that list. This year, Curry, Antetokounmpo, and Durant joined him. The high salaries from the NBA coupled with their endorsement deals with apparel and shoe companies have been a factor in forming those numbers.

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LeBron James and Stephen Curry have the highest income due to their salaries and endorsements. James reportedly earned $45.7 million as a salary and another $80 million from endorsements. Stephen Curry has a higher salary than James’, but his endorsements lag behind. Antetokounmpo cracks the Top 10 for the first time in his career. His recent extension has been a factor in catapulting him into the top echelons.

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Kevin Durant’s steady increase in his salary as well as endorsements have seen him as a regular in the Top 10 lists. But still, their numbers for 2023 dwarf those of footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as well as golfer Jon Rahm.

How the NBA’s uber-rich contracts outclass those of other sports

The NBA has an ace up its sleeve when it comes to earnings. Last season the NBA earned $10.58 billion in revenues. Even though other sports leagues earn similar or slightly more, the NBA is one of the top-earning leagues in the world. There are 30 teams in the NBA. This results in massive revenue for teams.

Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant also make the top-10 highest paid athletes of 2023
Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant also make the top-10 highest-paid athletes of 2023 (image via Open Source/X)

The number of players per team is 15. Therefore, that huge revenue pie is shared with a lesser number of players compared to other leagues. This results in an average salary of $10 million for an NBA player. That number is staggeringly high compared to any other form of sport. Combined with the worldwide popularity of the sport, it results in massive endorsement deals for these players.

All of these factors combine to make NBA players some of the richest athletes in the world. But only a few make it to that Top 10 world list.

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