How Steph Curry Became The NBA's Highest-Paid Star And Dethroned LeBron James

Key Concepts

• NBA Highest Paid Players 2025: Ranking of NBA players based on their projected pre-tax earnings for the current season.
• Pre-tax Earnings: Total income before taxes are deducted, encompassing salary and off-court income.
• Playing Salary: The amount a player earns directly from their NBA team contract.
• Endorsements: Payments received from companies for promoting their products or services.
• Business Endeavors: Income generated from a player's own companies, investments, and other business ventures.
• Unanimous Media: Steph Curry's production company.
• Curry Brand: Steph Curry's athletic apparel and footwear brand.
• Equity Investments: Ownership stakes in companies.
• Venture Capital Fund: A fund that invests in startups and early-stage companies.
• Contract Extension: An agreement to extend a player's current contract with a team.
• Signature Shoe: A line of athletic footwear designed and endorsed by a specific athlete.

NBA's Highest Paid Players of 2025

This report details the NBA's highest-paid players for the 2025 season, highlighting their significant earnings from both on-court salaries and off-court ventures.

Steph Curry: The New Financial King

• Main Topic: Steph Curry has become the NBA's highest-paid player for the first time in his career.
• Key Points:
  • Curry is projected to earn $159.6 million in pre-tax earnings this season.
  • This figure includes his playing salary and income from endorsements and business endeavors.
  • His playing salary for this season is $59.6 million, making him the highest-paid player on the court.
  • Off the court, Curry is expected to earn $100 million through his production company, Unanimous Media, and the Curry Brand.
  • Curry is set to be the first NBA player to exceed $60 million in salary, with a projected $62.6 million for the 2026-27 season.
• Supporting Evidence: Forbes' annual earnings ranking, which projects income for the current basketball season.
• Notable Statement: "No one in NBA history who has been able to drain a three-pointer quite like the Golden State Warrior Steph Curry. And no one can score financially quite like him either."

LeBron James: A Consistent Top Earner

• Main Topic: LeBron James, a long-time top earner, slips to number two but continues to generate substantial income.
• Key Points:
  • James is projected to earn $137.6 million this season.
  • He recently became the first player to reach 23 years in the NBA.
  • Despite some physical setbacks (sciatica), his business ventures remain strong.
  • His off-court income includes endorsements with Nike, DraftKings, and Amazon.
  • He has equity investments in companies like Life Fantasy and a watch collaboration with Rishard Mill.
  • His grooming brand, The Shop, has expanded its distribution to CVS.
• Perspective: James has been named a billionaire by Forbes in 2022, though he has downplayed this, stating, "It's a couple thousand in my bank."

Kevin Durant: Diversified Portfolio

• Main Topic: Kevin Durant supplements his playing salary with a wide range of business interests.
• Key Points:
  • Durant is projected to earn $14.3 million. (Note: This figure appears to be a typo in the transcript and is likely meant to be significantly higher, as his total earnings are not provided in this snippet, but his contract extension is mentioned).
  • He signed a 2-year, $90 million extension with Houston, a reduction from his previous $198 million contract with the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.
  • His business portfolio includes partnerships with FanDuel, Dick Sporting Goods, and Joe and the Juice.
  • He holds equity stakes through his family office, 35V, in companies like Spin Drift (sparkling water) and Paris Son (French soccer club).
  • He recently regained access to his Coinbase account after being locked out for years.

Giannis Antetokounmpo: Expanding Business Horizons

• Main Topic: Giannis Antetokounmpo is actively expanding his business ventures beyond his playing contract.
• Key Points:
  • Antetokounmpo is projected to earn $99.1 million.
  • He has two more seasons under contract with the Milwaukee Bucks following a 2023 extension.
  • He launched a venture capital fund last year.
  • His investments include the women's basketball league Unrivaled and Scoreplay, an AI service for sports highlights.
  • He has added Huggies to his existing 10 endorsement brands.

Jayson Tatum: Record Contract and Strategic Partnerships

• Main Topic: Jayson Tatum is leveraging his record-breaking contract and off-court activities.
• Key Points:
  • Tatum is projected to earn $79.1 million.
  • He set an NBA record for total contract value with a 5-year, $314 million extension.
  • He is partnering with Vertex Pharmaceuticals to promote the painkiller Javics.
  • He has joined his alma mater, Duke, as an advisor in the role of "chief basketball officer."
  • He is releasing the fourth edition of his signature shoe with Nike's Jordan brand.

Comparative Earnings and Historical Context

• Main Topic: The report places current NBA earnings in the context of historical high earners in sports.
• Key Points:
  • Steph Curry's $159.6 million is the highest figure projected for an NBA player.
  • LeBron James' $128.7 million last year was the closest anyone had come to Curry's current figure in the previous 15 Forbes rankings.
  • Only four other active athletes have surpassed $100 million in business income:
    • Tiger Woods ($105 million in 2009)
    • Roger Federer ($100 million in 2020)
    • Conor McGregor ($158 million in 2021)
    • Shohei Ohtani ($100 million this year)

Conclusion

The 2025 Forbes ranking of the NBA's highest-paid players underscores the immense financial power of elite athletes. Steph Curry's record-breaking earnings highlight a new era where off-court ventures and endorsements are as crucial as on-court performance. Players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Jayson Tatum demonstrate diverse strategies for maximizing their financial success, ranging from strategic investments and brand building to record-setting contracts and innovative partnerships. Victory in professional sports is increasingly measured not only in championships but also in substantial financial gains.