NBA is one of the most popular sporting leagues in the whole of the United States and the world and already has lots of fans who follow the game because of their favourite players. NBA players not just represent their teams but also earn a lot from the brand endorsements and some players also have businesses where they invest their money to get good returns. In fact, the NBA has transcended to become one of the most followed sports because of these players who have made a huge amount of money by promoting sports among the people. Here we will take a glimpse of the top 5 richest NBA players of the 2019-20 season and their net worths as of 2020:
(The players who are not alive are note included in the list):
#5. Shaquille O’Neal ($400 Million)
The former basketball player has played for Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers ended his career with the Boston Celtics in the last season. He is now a TV Presenter and analyst on Inside the NBA on TNT. Shaquille O’ Neal is considered one of the legends and also one of the richest players in NBA history.
After retiring from the sport, Shaq went on to release four rap albums and also appeared in several films and TV shows. Shaq is also one of the heaviest players in the NBA to date and due to his mass popularity, he got so many sponsorships and endorsements throughout his career. Shaquille O’Neal is the fifth richest in the list of the richest NBA players in 2019-20.
#4. LeBron James ($480 Million)
The 35-year-old star Forward, playing for Los Angeles Lakers since 2018-19 season, became a celebrity figure in the game since his debut in 2003. Since then Lebron never looked back in his career. He is currently playing and it seems like he won’t retire soon at least in the coming few years.
Throughout his career so far, he has played for Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and now Los Angeles Lakers. Already known as the “King James” by the fans all over the world due to his on-court skills, but also his great insight into making money and doing fruitful investments off the court proves his genius in making money. Besides, getting paid huge salaries from his NBA teams in his 16 years long career, James has been amassing a lot of money from his investments in Beats Electronics, McDonald’s backed startup franchise Blaze Pizza, and a stake in the Liverpool FC. The net-worth of Lebron James has surged over the last few years and makes him one of the richest NBA players in the 2019-20 season.
#3. Magic Johnson ($600 Million)
The Lakers’ legend has played only for the Los Angeles Lakers throughout his career spanning for 17 years between 1980-1996. It is believed that the former basketball player made most of his fortune not from his NBA career but his business investments after retiring. In 1981, Johnson bagged a 25-year contract worth $25 million with the Los Angeles Lakers which was a record deal at that time.
The path of making money started since the as Magic started putting money in numerous companies that yielded him handsome returns. Moreover, after announcing retirement he served as a commentator at NBC. His net worth of $600 million is mostly because of his business partnerships with Starbucks, Fridays, and 24 Hour Fitness. He comes third in the list of richest NBA players in the 2019-20 season.
#2. Junior Bridgeman ($600 Million)
The former basketball player is tied with Magic Johnson in terms of the net worth this year with $600 Million on his name. Junior Bridgeman played basketball for 12 years between 1975-1987 before retiring from the game. Junior was known to be a very hard working sportsperson of that time as he indulged into learning the business model of Wendy’s fast-food chain by working for them during the off-seasons.
During his career, Bridgeman played for Los Angeles Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks and by the time he hanged his boots, he had mastered the art of making money from the business. He invested in the same fast-food chain and later went on to own over 100 of its branches. Due to his Impeccable business skills, Junior Bridgeman becomes one of the wealthiest and richest NBA players of all time and 2019-20 season.
#1. Michael Jordan ($2.2 Billion)
One of the legends of the game and also the owner of the Charlotte Hornets in the NBA, Michael Jordan is the only billionaire NBA player in the history so far. During his career of 15 years, MJ was mostly associated with the Chicago Bulls and played his last two seasons with the Washington Wizards. With his Champion’s mindset, MJ went on to garner a huge fanbase all over the globe, earning him the nicknames such as “Air Jordan” and “His Airness”. No doubt how Nike got him his signature shoes “Air Jordan” as he still makes most of his fortune from the endorsement deals from Nike.
The impression which he left on the game has also brought huge in revenue for the league. As of now, the six-time champion is an NBA team owner, Product Endorser and Entrepreneur from which he makes a bulk of his fortune. His net worth for the 2019 season stands at $2.2 Billion, making him not just the richest NBA player but also highest-paid NBA player ever. Moreover, he is the only billionaire NBA player of all time.
