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About Boardroom

Boardroom is a sports, media and entertainment brand co-founded by Kevin Durant and Rich Kleiman and focused on the intersection of sports and entertainment. Boardroom’s flagship media arm features premium video/audio, editorial, daily and weekly newsletters, showcasing how athletes, executives, musicians and creators are moving the business world forward. Boardroom’s ecosystem encompasses B2B events and experiences (such as its renowned NBA and WNBA All-Star events) as well as ticketed conferences such as Game Plan in partnership with CNBC. Our advisory arm serves to consult and connect athletes, brands and executives with our broader network and initiatives.

Recent film and TV projects also under the Boardroom umbrella include the Academy Award-winning Two Distant Strangers (Netflix), the critically acclaimed scripted series SWAGGER (Apple TV+) and Emmy-nominated documentary NYC Point Gods (Showtime).

Boardroom’s sister company, Boardroom Sports Holdings, features investments in emerging sports teams and leagues, including the Major League Pickleball team, the Brooklyn Aces, NWSL champions Gotham FC, and MLS’ Philadelphia Union.

All Rights Reserved. 2022.
Deals & Investments April 21, 2023
Shlomo Sprung
Shlomo Sprung

LeBron, KD, Curry, and the NBA’s Biggest Off-the-court Earners

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Last Updated: July 1, 2023
From sneaker stakeholders to VC execs to Hollywood moguls and beyond, check out the honor roll of the biggest NBA earners away from the hardwood.

While LeBron James may no longer be the NBA‘s biggest earner on the court with the Los Angeles Lakers, he’s far and away the league’s top earner off of it. Research from Online Betting Guide (OLBG) estimates LeBron’s 2022 off-court earnings at $80 million thanks to various endorsements and investments with partners like Nike, SpringHill Company, Tonal, Blaze Pizza, and Fenway Sports Group.

35V and Boardroom‘s Kevin Durant of the Phoenix Suns ranks No. 2 at $50 million, while the Golden State Warriors‘ Stephen Curry finished a close third at $47 million.

Here’s a look at the full top 10.

Who’s the Highest-earning NBA Player Off the Court?

  1. LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers: $80 million
  2. Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns: $50 million
  3. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors: $47 million
  4. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks: $41 million
  5. Russell Westbrook, Los Angeles Clippers: $35 million
  6. James Harden, Philadelphia 76ers: $30 million
  7. Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers: $18 million
  8. Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors: $17 million
  9. Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat: $12 million
  10. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers: $10 million
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LeBron’s total 2022 earnings according to OLBG’s research came in at $121.2 million when taking into account the $41.2 million in salary he cashed from the Lakers, making him the highest-earning NBA player overall. Curry follows at $92.8 million, with Durant just behind at No. 3 with $92.1 million.

Looking beyond simply hoops — and despite retiring in September — tennis legend Roger Federer actually bested King James off the court, leading all athletes with $90 million in off-the-court earnings alone. Tiger Woods came in 3rd at $68 million followed by Naomi Osaka at $58 million, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at $55 million, and Tom Brady at $52 million.

Brady smoked the NFL competition in 2022, with Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes coming in at No. 2 with $20 million in earnings beyond the painted lines of the gridiron. Fellow quarterbacks Russell Wilson, Dak Prescott, and Aaron Rodgers rounded out football’s top five.

More NBA Earners:

Shlomo Sprung

Shlomo Sprung is a Senior Staff Writer at Boardroom. He has more than a decade of experience in journalism, with past work appearing in Forbes, MLB.com, Awful Announcing, and The Sporting News. He graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 2011, and his Twitter and Spotify addictions are well under control. Just ask him.