In a recent interview on the “Club Shay Shay” podcast, billionaire entrepreneur and former Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made a bold prediction about the future of NBA salaries. Cuban, known for his keen business acumen and deep understanding of the sports industry, believes that the day is not far off when we will see NBA players signing contracts worth $1 billion.
Over the past few decades, NBA salaries have seen a dramatic increase. In the early 2000s, the highest-paid players earned just under $20 million per year. Fast forward to 2024, and Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has signed a record-breaking five-year, $314 million supermax extension, averaging approximately $62.8 million per year. This exponential growth in player salaries is a testament to the NBA’s expanding global reach and increasing revenue streams.
Cuban attributes this potential surge in player earnings to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) set to take effect in the 2025-26 season. The new CBA is expected to significantly boost the salary cap, driven by lucrative TV deals and other revenue sources. Cuban explained,
“Once that new TV money kicks in, they’ll be making more money a year than I will. You’re going to have players making more than the owners. That’s okay, right? There is no league without them”.
The NBA’s global popularity has been a major factor in driving up player salaries. Unlike other major sports leagues, NBA players are highly recognizable worldwide, thanks in part to video games like NBA 2K and extensive media coverage. Cuban highlighted this unique aspect, stating,
“NBA particularly, if you play 2K you knew all 15 guys and the 2-way guys, too, and that’s unique”.
With the new CBA and the continuous growth of the NBA’s global fanbase, Cuban’s prediction of $1 billion contracts doesn’t seem far-fetched. The league’s top players, such as Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Anthony Edwards, could potentially reach this milestone before the end of their careers. Cuban’s insights suggest that the NBA’s financial landscape is on the brink of a significant transformation, where player earnings could surpass those of team owners.
NBA Player With A Billion Dollar Contract?
“Yes! For sure. Luka is about to get A LOT! … They’ll be making more money a year than I will. You’re going to have players making more than the owners, and that’s okay. There is no league without them. They are the league and they… pic.twitter.com/bSmWoebD7C
— Club Shay Shay (@ClubShayShay) September 26, 2024
