One of the world’s most popular basketball tournaments, the NBA or the National Basketball Association is known for turning players into multimillionaires. Unlike any other, this particular tournament has seen some of the richest athletes in the history of sports. Moreover, these Richest NBA Players are now well-known for turning their millions into billions.
So who are the top 5 richest stars in the history of this tournament? Through this article, we will be revealing those wealthy athletes and their staggering fortunes. Let’s get started:
4. Shaquille O’Neal, US$ 400 million
One of the most iconic and charismatic players in NBA history, Shaquille O’Neal continued to gain fame and fortune even after retiring from sports. While working with brands like Reebok, Nestle, Papa John’s, Hulu and Buick, the famous athlete became a successful marketing guru.
As a result, his current net worth stands around US$ 400 million as of 2024. As Shaquille continues to remain the brand ambassador and TV host for this tournament, there’s no surprise that his net worth is likely to grow exponentially only.
3. LeBron James, US$ 1 billion
The only name on this list who’s still active in the NBA, LeBron James is one of the tournament’s highest-paid players. Like any other athlete, LeBron James has also endorsed various brands such as Microsoft, Beats by Dre, Coca-Cola, Nike and Samsung. In addition, LeBron is not only a talented athlete but also a savvy businessman.
Thanks to his business-oriented mind, the athlete is currently an investor in the Blaze Pizza chain and a few other brands like Tonal and Lyft. As a result, LeBron’s current net worth stands around US$ 1 billion, making him one of the richest NBA players in modern history.
2. Magic Johnson, US$ 1.2 billion
Despite being retired in 1991, Magic Johnson hasn’t only managed to thrive financially but also managed to stay healthy. One of the most legendary players, Magic Johnson was diagnosed with HIV which forced him to take retirement from this sport. However, the former athlete successfully managed to turn things around for good.
After buying stakes in sports franchises like LA Dodgers and LAFC, Magic Johnson saw his net worth reach as high as US$ 1.2 billion. Additionally, he also owns a movie studio, theatre and a marketing organisation.
1. Michael Jordan, US$ 3 billion
Guarding the number 1 spot, Michael Jordan is undoubtedly one of the most iconic athletes in the history of sports. The former NBA champion not only had one of the most decorated careers but he’s also on the list of America’s 400 wealthiest people.
With a total net worth of US$ 3 billion, Michael Jordan also has endorsements from brands like McDonald’s, Nike, Gatorade and Hanes. Thus, the NBA’s greatest player of all time also has the greatest net worth of all time.
Concluding on Richest NBA Players
As we conclude this list, it’s quite safe to say that this tournament has definitely turned various athletes into successful billionaires. Moreover, it also provided the media presence to these athletes that were required for successful brand endorsements or business ventures.
In the next few years, it’d be interesting to see if any other NBA star manages to enter our list of the top four richest NBA players. Until then, let’s keep on embracing and enjoying this entertaining sports tournament.
