According to Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico, LeBron James and Stephen Curry will make more than $225 million combined in the 2023-24 season. With an estimated endorsement fee of $80 million and a salary of $47.6 million, James is expected to be worth $128 million, making him the highest-paid player in the league.
By comparison, Curry is expected to earn about $101.9 million, including $50 million in endorsements. His endorsement portfolio includes a personal brand partnership with Under Armor, as well as collaborations with brands including Chase, Nissan, Sony, JPMorgan Chase and Rakuten. It’s worth noting that almost half of Curry, Antetokounmpo and Durant’s income comes from endorsement deals.
In addition to their income on the court and through endorsements, James and Curry are both well-known entrepreneurs who own businesses and invest in everything from media platforms and alcohol brands to sports team ownership in other leagues.
It’s also important to emphasize that even without endorsement revenue, the salaries of top NBA players are skyrocketing, surpassing those of players in other major North American leagues. The current annual salary in North America belongs to Lillard, Anthony Davis, Jaylen Brown, Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Jokic and other players, with the average maximum annual salary exceeding US$55 million.
Also read: ‘You have to be respected’: LeBron James yelled at Lakers for eating on benchWarriors preseason
LeBron James and Stephen Curry express interest in joining Team USA
According to ESPN, the NBA superstar has expressed strong interest in joining the United States men’s basketball team for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This includes past gold medalists LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Stephen Curry is considering making his Olympic debut.
Curry is currently playing under Steve Kerr with the Golden State Warriors, whom he has hinted at wanting to play for him in the Olympics.
Several players including 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker and two-time gold medalist Draymond Green, who did not participate in the FIBA World Cup, may also consider returning.
James, 38, won bronze in 2004 and gold in 2008 and 2012. Davis, a 2012 gold medalist, was a member of the World Cup-winning team during his last World Cup appearance with Team USA in 2014.
Despite winning four consecutive Olympic gold medals in basketball, the U.S. has ranked third in success rate at the past six World Cups.
Also read: ‘Don’t care who’s boss’: How LeBron James’ humor eased tensions with Kobe Bryant ahead of 2008 Olympics