The game of basketball is loved by all. It’s played with passion and skill and when you excel at it, you can make money out of it. LeBron James and Stephen Curry are some of the greatest players in NBA history and were some of the highest-paid athletes of 2022. But who made the most money between the both of them?
The Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors are having distinctly different NBA seasons. GSW is finally back into the western conference finals whereas the Lakers missed the play-in games entirely. These do have financial implications to some extent but are more or less irrelevant to the whole number.
LeBron James tramples Stephen Curry in money made this year
Forbes released their list of the highest-paid athletes of the year 2021-22. The top 10 list saw the best of the best athletes on it. The NBA had 4 players on that list showcasing a very successful year for basketball.
💰 Forbes’ highest-paid athletes 2022:
1⃣Lionel Messi: $130m
2⃣LeBron James: $121.2m
3⃣Cristiano Ronaldo: $115m
4⃣Neymar: $95m
5⃣Stephen Curry: $92.8m
6⃣Kevin Durant: $92.1m
7⃣Roger Federer: $90.7m
8⃣Canelo Alvarez: $90m
9⃣Tom Brady: $83.9m
🔟Giannis Antetokounmpo: $80.9m— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 13, 2022
2 of those players that were featured were Stephen Curry and LeBron James as well. Stephen Curry had signed one of the biggest contracts in NBA history. His supermax deal helped him earn $45.8 Million last year and that will only increase in the next 2 years.
His off-court earnings were still more with $47 Million. The leading source of that income came from 2K Sports, Callaway Golf, CarMax, FTX, Google, Panini, Rakuten, and Under Armour.
As impressive as this might be, LeBron James has been able to transcend the title of the athlete. His influence has what has pushed him above the pack and is the 2nd highest-paid athlete of all time only behind Lionel Messi.
King James has earned a total of $121.2 Million. $41.2 Million came from his LA Lakers contract. He does not earn the most off the court but his name helps him earn off the court.
The biggest names of the brands that endorse the king are 2K Sports, AT&T, Beats Electronics, Blaze Pizza, Calm, CRYPTO.com, GMC, Nike, PepsiCo, RIMOWA, and Walmart. Will LeBron’s shortcoming in the league this season affect his earnings for next year?