As the NBA is finalizing a new media rights deal that is expected to pay the league an average of $6.9 billion over 11 years, players are also set to benefit significantly. The new deals, whether with Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC, Amazon, or Disney, are projected to more than double the current deals’ payments of roughly $3 billion in the final year of the current contracts. This influx of money is likely to lead to the first $100 million salary in the NBA, potentially by the 2032-33 season. This unprecedented rise in player salaries is a result of the expected salary cap increase of 10 percent in the first seasons under the new media landscape, starting in 2025-26.
NBA players are already accumulating vast wealth, with the opportunity to earn over $1 billion in NBA contracts alone for those part of the 2022 draft class, even before factoring in endorsements or sponsorships. With the projected salary cap increases, players may have the chance to earn $100 million over the course of two contracts in their prime. Record-setting contracts like the one signed by Jaylen Brown, potentially worth $304 million, could soon pale in comparison to the staggering salaries that may become the norm in the near future.
The expected rise in salary cap values could lead to multiple players crossing the $100 million threshold in the 2032-33 season. A player in the first year of a supermax contract could earn as much as $105.79 million, while contracts reaching over $500 million over five years are also projected. These figures are contingent on various factors such as the 10 percent cap raises each season, potential changes in CBA terms, and other unforeseen variables that could affect salary growth in the league.
The new media rights deal is set to provide a significant boost to the NBA and its players, allowing for substantial increases in player salaries. The league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) was designed with a new media rights deal in mind, ensuring labor peace through the current CBA’s duration until 2030. While uncertainties remain, such as potential opt-out clauses or changes in cap-smoothing rules, the NBA and its players are poised to reach unprecedented levels of wealth as a result of the upcoming media rights agreement.
With the offseason approaching, teams are gearing up for changes in the CBA that will impact their operations. Restrictions on trading players, salary aggregation, and draft pick trades are set to come into effect in the upcoming season. Teams above certain salary thresholds will face hard-capping limitations, while new concerns about hitting the salary floor and exceptions for trades and extensions will also shape team strategies. The CBA rules aim to maintain competitive balance and financial stability across the league as teams navigate the evolving landscape of player contracts and roster management.
As teams prepare to navigate the intricacies of the CBA in the upcoming offseason, the influx of revenue from the new media rights deal will have a significant impact on player salaries and team operations. The potential for $100 million salaries, record-setting contracts, and unprecedented wealth for players underscores the transformative power of the new agreements. While uncertainties remain about future salary cap increases and potential changes in league rules, the NBA and its players are poised to enter a new era of financial prosperity and competitive dynamics shaped by the evolving landscape of media rights and player contracts.
