It is a classification which is not sporting but which is expected every year at this time of the year. The famous American magazine Forbes has just published the list of basketball players in the NBA who will receive the most money in 2021. The amount takes into account salaries – with the deduction due due to the health crisis and which is equivalent to around 20 % of sum – and other income related to private sponsors.
NBA champion last season with the Los Angeles Lakers, star LeBron James won a new trophy with a jackpot estimated at nearly $ 95.4 million, or about 80 million euros. He succeeded himself since he won this ranking for the seventh year in a row.
If he’s not the basketball player with the biggest check as a player – Stephen Curry earns $ 34.4 million with the Golden State Warriors – LeBron James is making a difference through his activities and outside partnerships. He should indeed receive a salary of 31 million dollars (25.7 million euros) and the double thanks to his sponsors (64 million dollars or 53 million euros).
From next season, Rudy Gobert, the international tricolor of Utah Jazz, will become the highest paid French sportsman with a contract of 167.2 million euros (205 million dollars), or 33.4 million euros per year until 2026.
Tiger Woods, Cristiano Ronaldo…
Without the league’s restraint due to the health crisis, LeBron James, an affirmed opponent of Donald Trump and who has committed positions for civil rights in the United States, could have entered the very closed circle of active athletes at 100 million dollars over a season and join a very private group consisting only of golfer Tiger Woods and boxer Floyd Mayweather.
The double Olympic champion (2008 and 2012) and quadruple NBA champion (2012 and 2013 with the Miami Heat, 2016 with the Cleveland Cavaliers and 2020 with the Lakers) will be able to console himself by joining the very private club of players who have amassed more than ‘a billion dollars in earnings before retirement. The other members are Tiger Woods, Floyd Mayweather, and footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
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