Big Contracts, Bigger Gaps
Sure, NBA stars are raking in eye watering contracts multi-million-dollar deals that grab headlines and flood highlight reels. But according to Stephen Curry NBA players are missing out, that’s not the whole story. Far from it.
The Golden State Warriors legend, one of the highest-paid athletes on the planet, recently peeled back the curtain in an interview with Complex, offering a perspective that flips the narrative: NBA players, he says, are still underpaid.
Yes, underpaid.
Not because of base salaries, but due to a hidden clause buried deep in the league’s financial playbook—specifically, the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which bars active players from owning equity in teams.
The Equity Roadblock: A Silent Limiter
To Curry, this restriction is more than just a technicality—it’s a structural flaw. While NBA players are missing out by pouring their bodies, time, and brand power into the NBA, they’re prohibited from having a stake in the very franchises they help skyrocket in value.
“We can’t participate in equity,” Curry said plainly. “It’s a partnership with the league and owners, but we don’t get the long-term upside.”
That long-term upside? It’s substantial. NBA franchises have ballooned in worth over the past decade. While Curry and fellow superstar Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ink deals worth $59.6 million and $285 million respectively, Curry argues those numbers are dwarfed by the league’s overall growth.
He estimates the NBA’s business has expanded tenfold—leaving players out of a wealth-building vehicle they helped construct.
The Raw Numbers Don’t Lie
Let’s talk figures. For the 2024–25 season, the NBA reported a jaw-dropping basketball-related income (BRI) of $10.247 billion. Per the current CBA, players are guaranteed 51% of that pool—equating to about $5.226 billion.
But here’s the catch: due to revenue falling short of projections, a hefty $484 million was withheld in escrow. In the end, players only saw around $4.742 billion—roughly 90.9% of their expected earnings.
In simple terms? Contracts promise one thing, but real-world numbers deliver another.
Curry’s Plea: Let Players Build Wealth, Not Just Earn It
Curry’s argument goes beyond a paycheck. It’s about empowerment, legacy, and being part of the value chain—not just a cog in it.
“Hopefully, those rules change,” Curry said, expressing optimism for the future. “Players should benefit from what they help build—not just while they’re active, but long after.”
It’s a perspective that’s resonating louder as the league’s valuations continue to skyrocket, with franchise sales reaching record highs. The athletes generating this momentum, however, remain locked out of ownership stakes, unlike their counterparts in other industries.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Rethink What ‘Paid’ Really Means
Steph Curry’s comments offer more than a hot take—they spark a conversation that challenges conventional sports economics. As media rights deals soar and global fan bases expand, shouldn’t the people who drive the product—players—have more than just a temporary seat at the table?
The reality is clear: NBA stars may earn millions, but without access to equity, they’re cut off from the real wealth-building mechanisms. And that, Curry argues, is the next frontier.
Because sometimes being paid isn’t enough—being included matters even more.
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