Last updated on May 20th, 2025 at 08:42 pm
LeBron James is the highest-grossing player in the NBA during the 2021-2022 season. Also, LeBron sets sports earnings record of $111 million for the year. It was an increase of more than 15 percent from the previous year.
According to Sports Interaction News, the figure incorporates James’ $41 million compensation, just as various non-basketball-related businesses. Also, his Nike deal earns him $32 million every year. The four-time NBA MVP likewise amassed installments from Space Jam: A New Legacy, a “skin” in the famous computer game Fortnite, and a new venture and endorsement deal with home wellness organization Tonal.
LeBron’s income would make him the tenth active competitor at any point to outperform $100 million each year and joins first-class organization like Floyd Mayweather, Lionel Messi, and Roger Federer.
LeBron Sets Sports Earnings Record
Indeed, top basketball players are bringing home more money than before. According to sports betting operations experts, that phenomenon can be credited to soaring compensation covers and extravagance charge edges, in addition to the presentation of supermax expansions in 2017.
Golden State hotshot Steph Curry is second on Forbes’ rundown. His almost $93 million could have been the record amount in 2019. But, instead, his earnings come from the league’s maximum salary and several non-basketball income streams, including a production firm, Under Armor sponsorship, and a digital currency sponsorship deal, to give some examples.
Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant, falling off an agreement expansion, is third with almost $88 million. According to experts of gambling services for bookies, Durant’s company, Thirty Five Ventures, has interests in more than eighty organizations.
Current Finals MVP and Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo is the only member of the ten highest-earning players in his 20s. His total earnings are $80 million. James’ new partner, Russell Westbrook, arrived in fifth, barely short of $75 million.
Here is the Forbes Top 10 List of NBA Earnings for 2021-2022 Season
| RANK | PLAYER | TOTAL EARNINGS | SALARY | ENDORSEMENTS |
| 1 | LeBron James | $111.2m | $41.2m | $70m |
| 2 | Stephen Curry | $92.8m | $45.8m | $47m |
| 3 | Kevin Durant | $87.9m | $40.9m | $47m |
| 4 | Giannis Antetokounmpo | $80.3m | $39.3m | $41m |
| 5 | Russell Westbrook | $74.2m | $44.2m | $30m |
| 6 | James Harden | $62.3m | $44.3m | $18m |
| 7 | Damian Lillard | $56.3m | $39.3m | $17m |
| 8 | Klay Thompson | $54m | $38m | $16m |
| 9 | Paul George | $47.8m | $39.3m | $8.5m |
| 10 | Jimmy Butler | $47m | $36m | $11m |
LeBron, Curry and Durant together Out-Earn everyone Else on the List in Sports Earnings
It’s crazy how the top 3 NBA earners were able to earn more money then the rest of the top 10 NBA earners. However, will this keep next season?
