Forbes released its annual look at the world’s highest-paid athletes Wednesday morning. NBA stars dominate the list with a record 32 players among the top 100 thanks to a booming salary cap fueled by new TV contracts. The NBA’s two superteams competing in the NBA Finals both landed three players in the top 100 (the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers also placed three players apiece, but both of those squads were bounced in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs).
The Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers assembled squads dripping with talent and accolades. Players on their rosters have won seven of the past eight NBA MVP awards and racked up a combined 45 All-Star game nods. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry and Kyrie had the four best-selling signature shoes among active NBA players this season and their jerseys all ranked among the NBA’s five best-sellers.
Here is a breakdown of the biggest stars in the NBA finals off the court with earnings based on the last 12 months.
CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 23: LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reatcs to their 112 to 99 win over the Boston Celtics in Game Four of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on May 23, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
LeBron James (#2 Athlete earnings, #1 NBA players)
Total earnings: $86.2 mil; Endorsements: $55 mil
Major sponsors: Nike, Coca-Cola, Intel, Verizon, Kia Motor, Beats
Jersey sales rank: #2
King James $31 million salary in 2016-17 made him only the third NBA player to earn $30 million in a season after Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. It is the first time he's had the NBA's top salary during his 14-year career. The NBA's top pitchman added Intel and Verizon to his endorsement portfolio this year. His lifetime deal with Nike could net him more than $1 billion, per his business manger Maverick Carter. James owns a production company, SpringHill Entertainment, with Carter. The pair is also part of an investment group in Blaze Pizza with 17 franchises in Chicago and South Florida.
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 16: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors warms up prior to Game Two of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at ORACLE Arena on May 16, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Kevin Durant (#5 Athlete earnings, #2 NBA players)
Total earnings: $60.6 mil; Endorsements: $34 mil
Major sponsors: Nike, Panini, BBVA, 2K Sports, American Family Insurance, Beats
Jersey sales rank: #3
Durant signed a two-year contract with the Warriors ahead of the 2016-17 season (he can opt out of the contract after one year). Durant has embraced the startup ethos of his new locale with investments in the Player’s Tribune, Acorns, Postmates and JetSmarter. Nike signed Durant to a 10-year extension in 2014 worth as much as $300 million, although sales are off the last two years for his signature shoes. Durant’s 27.2 career points per game average is the best among active players and fourth all-time.
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 01: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts to a play against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 1, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Stephen Curry (#8 Athlete earnings, #3 NBA players)
Total earnings: $47.3 mil; Endorsements: $35 mil
Major sponsors: Under Armour, Chase, Fanatics, Kaiser Permanente, Brita, Degree, Vivo, eHi Car Services
Jersey sales rank: #1
Curry has been one of the NBA’s biggest bargains since signing a four-year contract extension in 2012. His $12.1 million salary for the 2016-17 season was 85th highest in the NBA. The two-time MVP will get paid under his next deal. The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement allows the Warriors to pay Curry more than $200 million over five years. Curry's off-court income has nearly tripled over the past 12 months thanks to several new endorsement deals and a bump in his pay from shoe partner Under Armour.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Kyrie Irving (#38 Athlete earnings, #12 NBA players)
Total earnings: $29.9 mil; Endorsements: $12 mil
Major sponsors: Nike, Verizon, Foot Locker, Panini, PepsiCo, Activision
Jersey sales rank: #5
Sales of Irving's Nike signature shoes have been on fire since the first one was introduced in December 2014. Irving debuted his Kyrie 3 signature shoe on Christmas Day and the launch colorway sold out in three minutes on Nike's SNKRS app. Only LeBron James sold more of his signature shoes during the 12 months ending in March 2017, according to NPD Group. Irving got an equity stake last year in Skullcandy as part of an endorsement deal. Good timing.Theheadphone-makerwas sold shortly after for $197 million to Mill Road Capital.
BOSTON, MA - MAY 19: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers dunks the ball in the first half against the Boston Celtics during Game Two of the 2017 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 19, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
Kevin Love (#54 Athlete earnings, #18 NBA players)
Total earnings: $26.4 mil; Endorsements: $5 mil
Major sponsors: Nike, Banana Republic, Upper Deck, Panini
Jersey sales rank: Not available
Kevin Love re-signed with the Cavs in 2015 in a deal worth $110 million over five years. Banana Republic signed the three-time All-Star in 2016 to be its inaugural style ambassador. It is the first time the brand has partnered with an NBA player. Love's sneaker deal with Chinese brand 361 expired in 2015 and Love joined the Nike family that already included fellow Cavs James and Irving.
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 05: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with teammates during a time out against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 5, 2017 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Klay Thompson (#91 Athlete earnings, #30 NBA players)
Total earnings: $21.9 mil; Endorsements: $5 mil
Major sponsors: Anta, Gillette, BodyArmor, Panini, Electronic Arts
Jersey sales rank: #13
Thompson signed a four-year $68 million contract extension with Golden State in 2015 as one-half of the "Splash Brothers." Thompson endorses Chinese shoe brand Anta in a deal that runs through 2020. Thompson and his father, Mychal, are one of only four father-son duos to both win NBA titles.
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MAY 6: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors brings the ball up court against the Utah Jazz in Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Vivint Smart Home Arena on May 6, 2017 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)
Draymond Green (#100+ Athlete earnings, #35 NBA players)
Total earnings: $19.1 mil; Endorsements: $3.5 mil
Major sponsors: Nike, Verizon, New Era
Jersey sales rank: Not available
Green inked a five-year, $82 million contract extension with the Warriors after helping the squad win the 2015 NBA title. New Era added him as a brand ambassador last month. Green hosts a podcast, "Dray Day," on LeBron James' digital media company Uninterrupted providing him an outlet for his candid remarks. After re-signing with Golden State, Green pledged $3.1 million to his alma mater, Michigan State, to renovate athletic facilities and fund an endowment.
轉載請註明來源：今天頭條