NBA Fortune Legend: The Road to Business Glory for Superstars in Each Position

In the NBA, a league that brings together "epoch-making talents" and "cross-generation wealth", players not only write legends on the field, but also show extraordinary wisdom and vision in the business field. On September 5, US media conducted an in-depth inventory of the wealthiest players in various positions in NBA history and their wealth accumulation process, revealing the wealth code for these basketball superstars off the court.

King of Point Guards: Magic Johnson's business aspirations

Magic Johnson is undoubtedly a model of success outside the sports world. Looking back at his career from the 1980s to the early 1990s, his total salary was about $40 million, which was not outstanding compared to the current maximum salary contract. However, the real wealth accumulation of a magician career begins after the end of his basketball career.

With his outstanding business vision, he founded the "Magic Johnson Enterprise Group" and built a huge business empire. The investment landscape covers a wide range of cinemas, Starbucks franchise, real estate and professional sports teams. As an early investor in Starbucks, TGI Fridays and other companies, Johnson made huge profits by selling shares. Today, he holds stakes in the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Sparks of the American Women's Basketball League, and the Los Angeles FC of Major League Baseball, with an estimated net worth of $1.5 billion. He not only firmly sits on the throne of the richest point guard in NBA history, but also one of the richest athletes in the world. On the field, his 5 NBA championships and 3 regular season MVPs have established his position as a great organizer in the league's history.

Point-Back Legend: Michael Jordan's wealth myth

Michael Jordan is a legendary superstar in sports history and the richest athlete in NBA history. His career salary totaled about $94 million, and he was the world's highest-paid athlete in the last two seasons with the Bulls. Similar to Magicians, Jordan's wealth has achieved explosive growth driven by business operations. The "Flying Jordan" series jointly created by Jordan and Nike has dominated the sports shoe market so far and has become a classic example of sports brand cooperation. In addition to the sneaker field, Jordan's equity acquisition measures are also unique, and the most representative of them is the Charlotte Hornets. In 2010, he acquired a majority stake in the team for $275 million and sold for $3 billion in 2023, which is amazing. With a net worth of $3.8 billion, Jordan provides a "textbook-level" example for athletes' financial planning after retirement. It is not only the peak representative of NBA wealth, but also a symbol of business success in the sports world.

Part 1: LeBron James's diversified business layout

LeBron James, the only legend among the active players to be among the "Billionaire Club". After 22 NBA seasons, he set an NBA record with a total salary of more than $530 million. And his business wisdom makes his wealth far exceed his contract income. "Spring Hill Entertainment Company" co-founded by LeBron has produced popular programs such as "Star Stand" and movies such as "Slam Dunk: New Legend", making its mark in the entertainment industry. The early investment "Flame Pizza" has developed into a chain brand across the United States. At the same time, it has deep and extensive endorsement cooperation with brands such as Nike, Pepsi, and Beatsby Dre. In addition, through cooperation with Fenway Sports Group, James became a minor shareholder in Premier League Liverpool and Major League Baseball Boston Red Sox. On the field, as the NBA's historical scoring champion, his achievements in 4 championships and 4 regular season MVPs have consolidated his status as "one of the greatest players in history".

The Road to Wealth in the Great Front: Kevin Garnett's ups and downs and inheritance

In the power forward position, Kevin Garnett was once the leader in wealth. In 1997, he became the first player in the NBA to sign a "$100 million contract", with a total salary of $334 million in 21 years of career, and is still one of the highest salaries in the NBA in history. Despite the loss of wealth due to improper financial management and legal disputes, Garnett's net worth now makes him a "benchmark of wealth" among retired power forwards.

However, as the times develop, Anthony Davis and Giannis Antetokounmpo are expected to rewrite the wealth standards for power forward positions with their existing contracts. After Davis' contract is fulfilled, the total salary is expected to exceed $511 million; Antetokounmpo's salary guarantee will reach at least $459 million in the next few years, and they are leading the new wealth trend in the power forward position.

Center Business Empire: Shaquille O'Neal's diversified investments

Shaquille O'Neal, the dominant center in basketball history, has built a wealth map of about $400 million with its unique personal traits and business acumen. In his 19-year NBA career, he played for 6 teams, with a total salary of over $292 million. After retiring, O'Neal established a business empire through extensive investment and cooperation.

His investments involve catering, gym, real estate and media. He has served as a guest of the popular sports program "NBA Insider" for a long time and is also a well-known spokesperson for multiple brands. O'Neal used his own experience to prove that athletes' success can transcend the limitations of their careers and achieve "dominance" in the business field..

From Jordan's brand legend, the Magic's diversified investment, to James' entertainment expansion, Garnett's salary foundation, and O'Neal's business layout, these NBA superstars have proved with their actions that the greatness of the league is not only reflected in their struggles and achievements on the field, but also in their foresight in wealth and pioneering innovation in the business field. They set an example for their younger generations, and the championship is a symbol of glory, and the smart planning and operation of finance can also create legends.