Promoting products as a way to boost their income is nothing new for actors and professional athletes. Babe Ruth, arguably the best player in Major League Baseball history, was the first athlete to make money from endorsement deals and other non-sport-related activities. Therefore, finding out how much money these well-known NBA players have is nothing new. Having said that, the industry was reeling from the news of Stephen Curry’s massive contract with Under Armour, the sportswear company. Why? His contract, which dwarfs even Dwayne Johnson’s $25 million, has reignited curiosity about why NBA players receive such high salaries.
Following a number of financially successful blockbuster films in recent years, The Rock has solidified his status as one of the biggest names in the movie business. As a result, he has been successful in reaching several lucrative deals, including with Under Armour, a manufacturer of athletic wear. However, Johnson’s agreement with Under Armour (UA) seems insignificant in comparison to Curry’s estimated stake in the business.
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Dwayne Johnson’s ‘Under Armour’ Salary Pales in Comparison to NBA Stars?
After garnering attention as a professional wrestler, Dwayne Johnson arrived in Hollywood with lofty goals. The actor has a devoted following all over the world thanks to beloved films like Central Intelligence and the Jumanji film series. Gaining recognition in the movie business led to an abundance of partnerships and endorsements for the actor.
According to FashionNetwork, Johnson and Under Armour signed a $25 million worldwide partnership agreement in 2016. But in comparison to Stephen Curry‘s ownership position in the business, the deal seems insignificant.
Curry is regarded as one of the all-time great players and the greatest shooter of all time. It appears, though, that the son of former NBA player Dell Curry still has plenty of good luck in store.
Being the ‘face of their footwear line’ and the President of his own shoe and clothing brand, the ‘Curry Brand’, he is recognized for his collaboration with Under Armour (via SportsPro Media). Moreover, we learned from HoopsHype, that Curry is reportedly close to inking a lucrative multi-billion-dollar lifetime contract with the athletic apparel company. Also, the contract guarantees him a status similar to Michael Jordan.
This is not the first time; NBA players are known for being blessed with such big deals. Few can compare to the formidable LeBron James in terms of endorsement deals. King James agreed to a lifetime deal with Nike in 2016 that was reportedly worth over $1 billion (via CNBC).
No discussion about profitable NBA contracts is complete without mentioning the all-time great basketball player, Michael Jordan, who has a net worth of $3 billion (via Forbes). He was one of the athletes of his generation with the best marketing campaigns, endorsing a number of products. According to The Seattle Times, he contributed to the success of Nike’s Air Jordan sneakers, which were released in 1984 and are still in demand.
Moreover, Kobe Bryant’s intense rivalry allowed him to dominate the basketball court, in addition to making astute business choices that increased his income. He was the third-richest athlete after Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods, with an estimated net worth of $600 million at the time of his death, according to Forbes.
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Stephen Curry’s Expensive Under Armour Contract
According to ESPN, Stephen Curry joined Under Armour during the 2013 offseason after initially signing with Nike. Following his ascent to the NBA MVP title and his status as one of the world’s most renowned athletes, his shoe line sales began to significantly impact the brand, with stock values fluctuating in response to its performance. As per Rolling Stone, the basketball player for the National Basketball Association (NBA) is expected to ink a lifetime deal worth over $1 billion with Under Armour.
First collaborating with a sportswear company in 2013, the four-time NBA champion’s current contract with the Baltimore-based company is reportedly expected to last until 2024. According to Under Armour (via CNN Business), this agreement is just another illustration of the business’s “fast-growing momentum in basketball”.
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As shown by Curry’s historic collaboration with Under Armour, NBA players are continuing to upend the pay scale in professional sports. The gigantic amounts associated with their endorsements and contracts are justified by their tremendous fan base, worldwide clout, exceptional skill, and capacity to boost revenue in a multibillion-dollar sector.
