Steven Adams has become New Zealand's highest-paid sportsman. We ask, is that fair market value for what he brings to the Oklahoma City Thunder, or is he being overpaid for what he has produced on the court? Marc Hinton and Ben Strang debate. MARC HINTON - Adams got market value Steven Adams got what he deserved when the Oklahoma City Thunder extended his contract by four years to the tune of US$100 million (NZ$140m). More to the point he got what the market was willing to pay. Yes, it's an obscene amount of money when you compare it to salaries in the real, non-professional sporting world. Even by the NBA's lofty standards it does seem to be at the high end, particularly when you factor in that Adams has yet to become the dominant figure the Thunder are clearly banking on him morphing into. But in this case Adams' timing is immaculate. His new deal kicks in at a juncture when the league's salary cap has been increased substantially, going from US$70m (with a luxury tax limit of $84.74m) last season to $94.14m (luxury tax limit $113.29m) for 2016-17. It is due to receive a further hike again in 2017-18 which is when the 23-year-old Kiwi's big pay rise will take place. That has come about largely through the NBA's new nine-year US$24 billion broadcasting deal which has just come into play, aligned with rising global revenues as popularity in mass markets in Asia, India and other parts of the world continues to grow. This is a rich league growing richer. If you look at what other members of the 2013 draft class who were eligible for these extensions received, then Adams' jackpot deal seems eminently fair, if at the high end. Utah jazz big man Rudy Gobert, a player similar to Adams in size, skill and statistics, signed a four-year US$102m extension. Gobert, with his huge wing span, is considered a better defender than the Kiwi, but has yet to display his improved offensive touch. In 2015-16 Adams went at 8.0 points and 6.7 rebounds a game, though took a substantial leap in the playoffs when he averaged a double-double in the series against San Antonio and Golden State. This year, with Kevin Durant gone and the ball coming his way more, he is running at 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds a game. Gobert went for 9.1 points and 11.0 rebounds last season and in the new campaign has begun at 9.8 points and 12.0 rebounds. In Utah they're ecstatic to have locked the big Frenchman in. So similar players − young, athletic, long, strong defensive presences, major upside on offence − and, as it turns out, similar money. Others in the 2013 class have backed this up. Giannis Antetokounmpo got US$100m for four more years with the Bucks, CJ McCollum US$106m for the same term at the Blazers and Adams' Thunder team-mate Victor Oladipo US$84m to stay right where he is in OKC for four more years. Do you see a picture now? The price for locking in an elite young player with significant upside and proven skills has gone up right across the league, not just in Oklahoma City. And in all probability the Thunder may actually have saved themselves significant cash by locking in Adams now, and not waiting until he had the chance to test the free-agent market next year when it's projected he could well have received even more. Adams is soon to be a very, very rich man because he has been genetically blessed, he has worked incredibly hard at his game, has improved every year and because he is a tough hombre who understands the role his team wants him to play. He has also come into the league at the right time, and been lucky enough to land with a team who have embraced him and developed his talent. From next year he will be paid, more or less, NZ$100,000 a week to play hoops. It sounds a lot. But in the crazy world of the NBA it is actually exactly what he deserves. It's called fair market value. BEN STRANG - He's not worth that much Steven Adams is almost the opposite of a Moneyball purchase. At four years, NZ$140m, Adams is set to become one of the highest paid players in the NBA, and the highest-paid New Zealand sportsman. He will average a whopping $35m annual pay cheque which is only likely to increase when his next contract rolls around in 2020. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm stoked for the guy. If you took his entire pay cheque and cashed it in as $2 coins, those coins would weigh 700,000kg. That's heavier than the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, and about four times the weight of your standard house. Furthermore, if you laid those coins out along State Highway 1, they would stretch from Cape Reinga to just south of Dunedin. That's 1855km. Stack them - you'd require superb balance - and you'd have a $2 coin tower 189km high. Basically, that's a lot of money, and I couldn't be happier that a Kiwi is getting paid these sorts of figures. But is he worth it? Honestly, I don't see the value. What Oklahoma City are paying for is Adams'potential. In his short career, Adams has modest averages of 6.3 points and six rebounds per game, something they are backing him to improve upon. Last season, those averages were eight points and 6.7 rebounds per game, and in his playoff career, he's averaged seven points and 6.8 rebounds. These aren't jaw-dropping totals. To compare, Dwight Howard averages 17.8 points, 12.7 rebounds. In his first third NBA season, he averaged 17.6 and 12.3. Adams is going to be paid more than him. Marc Gasol is 14.3 and 7.8, with his third NBA season being 11.7 and 7 (his worst on record). Brook Lopez, 18.3 and 7.4 for his career, 20.4 and 6 in his third season. Finally, Al Horford, 14.3 and 8.9 overall, 14.2 and 9.9 in his third season. Horford is the only one getting more money than Adams. If we look at Real Plus-Minus for last season, a statistic that is supposed to show just how valuable a player is to his team, Adams ranked 10th of all centres and 52nd overall in wins added at 7.05. Don't get me wrong, that's really, really good. But $140m? Oklahoma City Thunder writer Nick Gallo saidAdams has something other NBA players don't, and it's something that is immeasurable. "He is perhaps one of the most selfless players at this level of skill and talent in the NBA," Gallo told NZME. "I think people view Steven as a player who is not defined by the numbers he puts up. His intrinsic value on the court comes in so many different other ways." The problem baseball had is they looked at a player not for his numbers, or his ability to contribute wins, but for how he looked or his off-field persona. Adams appears to be getting money for his Kiwi charm, humour, and a selfless, Kiwi attitude. That's great. But is buying an NBA win for NZ$5m a pop a good investment? I'm not so sure.
FAQs
How much is Steven Adams contract worth? ›
Steven Adams signed a two-year, $25.2 million contract extension with Memphis, which will keep him tied to the team through the 2024-25 season. ESPN's Adrian Wojanrowski broke the news on Saturday.
How much is Steven Adams contract with the Grizzlies? ›Memphis Grizzlies, Steven Adams agree to two-year, $25.2 million extension.
How much is Steven Adams getting paid? › How many years does Steven Adams have left on his contract? ›It's not really like work.” Adams is contractually tied to the Grizzlies until 2025.
What is the richest contract in NBA history? ›1. Nuggets C Nikola Jokic: $270,000,000. NOTE: Jokic's extension is the largest contract in NBA history by both total value and average annual value.
Who has the richest NBA contract? ›- NBA contracts keep getting bigger and bigger.
- There are 18 players whose earnings have topped $200 million and they are all still active.
- The list of the highest-paid players ever is topped by LeBron James, who recently signed a 2-year, $97.1 million extension.
Bill Self is the highest-paid college basketball coach. The Kansas head coach tops the list for the 2021-22 season. He took home $10,184,282, which is close to $2 million more than the second-highest-paid coach.
How much does Barkley make with the Giants? ›Over the two-year period, Barkley would make $22.22 million for an average of $11.11 million per year before hitting the open market in 2025 as a 28-year-old. McCaffrey money would be more justifiable money with Josh Jacobs' production.
What was Joe Montana's contract? ›Joe Montana Salary
However, that very year, Montana signed a 4-year $13 million deal. The Notre Dame alumnus signed a 3-year $10 million contract on being traded to the Chiefs out of which he was able to pocket $8 million during the two years that he remained active.
Steven Adams spends some of his money on charity work.
Does Steven Adams have a shoe deal? ›
New Zealand product Steven Adams had long been associated with Adidas, with whom he signed as a rookie, but is now sporting New Balance Two Wxy V3s with the Grizzlies after spending time as a sneaker free agent.
How much is Steph Curry worth? ›As per the news, Stephen Curry's net worth is estimated to be $160 million.
How much is Steve Kerr contract? ›The Contract, The Lockout
Garnett was just 21 years old, and two years into his NBA career, when he signed what was then the richest contract in pro sports history: $126 million over six years. The deal, signed in October 1997, triggered fierce skepticism and derision, even among other NBA players.
| Season | Team | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 82 |
| 2018/19 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 84 |
| 2017/18 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 82 |
| 2016/17 | Oklahoma City Thunder | 81 |
- Bernard Arnault, chairman of LVMH, is the richest person and the richest man in the world with a net worth of $186 billion. ...
- After Arnault is the chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, Elon Musk.
After helping the Golden State Warriors' title run in 2015 and 2017, Stephen Curry became the first player in NBA history with a $200 million contract after signing a four-year deal worth $201 million in 2017.
Who has the first 100 million dollar contract in the NBA? ›...
Juwan Howard.
| Michigan Wolverines | |
|---|---|
| 1994–2001 | Washington Bullets / Wizards |
| 2001–2002 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2002–2003 | Denver Nuggets |
| 2003–2004 | Orlando Magic |
How LeBron James' Infamous Decision Changed The League Forever. James' basketball career has brought in more than $385 million, according to Forbes, but the lion's share of his wealth comes from his business ventures and endorsements, including with Nike, Walmart, Beats by Dre and the Blaze Pizza chain.
Is there a billionaire NBA player? ›
Those investments helped him grow his net worth to the estimated $1 billion threshold he only recently crossed. What's even more incredible is James manifested this milestone after saying he wanted to become a billionaire in a 2014 interview with GQ. "If it happens. It's my biggest milestone.
Who is the lowest paid d1 Basketball Coach? ›Johnny Jones at Texas Southern and Eric Henderson at South Dakota State University are the lowest paid coaches of those listed by USA Today. Their 2021 salaries are $250,000 and $275,000 respectively.
What is coach K's salary for Duke? ›Mike Krzyzewski net worth
Celebrity Net Worth lists Krzyzewski at $45 million, with a salary of $9.7 million.
Bill Belichick, $20 million
With six Super Bowl rings and 23 years of tenure with the New England Patriots, it makes sense that Belichick is the highest-paid coach. He also makes personnel decisions for the Patriots, including the draft, free agency and trades.
Current Contract
Tom Brady signed a 1 year, $15,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $15,000,000. Contract Notes: 2022 Roster Bonus: $13.88M (fully guaranteed, treated as signing bonus)
- Christian McCaffrey. SF, RB. $12,000,000.
- Dalvin Cook. MIN, RB. $11,000,000.
- Alvin Kamara. NO, RB. $11,000,000.
- Aaron Jones. GB, RB. $10,965,000.
- Ezekiel Elliott. DAL, RB. $10,900,000.
- Aaron Rodgers. GB, QB. $59,515,000.
- Deshaun Watson. CLE, QB. $46,000,000.
- Patrick Mahomes. KC, QB. $40,450,000.
- Kyler Murray. ARI, QB. $39,000,000.
- Dak Prescott. DAL, QB. $31,000,000.
- Aaron Rodgers (Packers): $50.3 million (3-year, $150.8 million contract)
- Russell Wilson (Broncos): $49 million (5-year, $245 million contract)
- Kyler Murray (Cardinals): $46.1 million (5-year, $230.5 million contract)
- Deshaun Watson (Browns): $46 million (5-year $230 million contract)
- Matthew Stafford (Rams): $61,500,000. ...
- Russell Wilson (Broncos): $57,000,000. ...
- Josh Allen (Bills): $46,961,405. ...
- Deshaun Watson (Browns): $46,000,000. ...
- Aaron Rodgers (Packers): $42,000,000. ...
- Kirk Cousins (Vikings): $40,000,000. ...
- Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs): $29,450,000.
Montana's VC business Liquid 2 Ventures invested in GitLab at about a $12 million valuation a few years ago. CNBC reports that Montana invested $100,000 in GitLab at that time, a stake that is likely to be worth over $40 million sometime tomorrow.
What is Shaq's net worth? ›
Shaquille O'Neal is an American professional basketball player who has a net worth of 450 million dollars in 2023. He was also the highest-paid NBA player of his time.
How much is LeBron James worth? ›LeBron James Net Worth 2023 Earnings
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has made a different record off the basketball court. He has become the first active billionaire player in NBA history. According to Forbes magazine, LeBron's net worth has crossed $1 Billion.
Kyrie Irving Net Worth 2023 Salary and Endorsements
Kyrie Irving has an estimated net worth of $90 million and he has $35 million per year in average annual contract salary.
Average annual U.S. consumer spend on footwear in 2021, by age. This statistic shows the average annual expenditure on footwear by consumers in the United States in 2021, by age. In 2021, the 45 to 54 age group was the highest spender on footwear, spending 470 U.S. dollars on average in the year.
Who make the most money off shoes? ›According to Forbes, the Jordan Brand is estimated to be worth $10 billion. Interestingly, estimates reveal Jordan himself has made some $1.3 billion from the shoe that has his name on it over the last four decades.
Do Nike executives get free shoes? ›No they don't supply clothes and shoes.
Who is the highest paid NFL player contract? ›- Aaron Rodgers, $50.2 million. Signed: March 2022 (contract ends in 2026)
- Russell Wilson (DEN), $50 million.
- Kyler Murray (ARI), $49.2 million.
- Deshaun Watson (CLE), $46 million.
- Josh Allen (BUF), $45.9 million.
Approximately $17 million per year. Michael Strahan is a former professional football player who played 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New York Giants. He was a defensive end for the Giants.
What is the lowest paying position in the NFL? ›Lowest average salary in the NFL? Special teams are at the bottom of the salary list, averaging $2.775 million. Second-lowest paid players are the running backs, to many's surprise.
What is the salary of a referee in the NFL? ›How much does an NFL ref get paid in the regular season? The NFL does not release salary figures for referees but, according to Sporting News, the highest paid NFL refs make $250,000 annually. NFL referees on average usually make about $205,000 per year.
What's Tom Brady's salary? ›
Current Contract
Tom Brady signed a 1 year, $15,000,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $15,000,000. Contract Notes: 2022 Roster Bonus: $13.88M (fully guaranteed, treated as signing bonus)
Shaq owns nine Papa John's in Atlanta and has been the spokesman and director of the pizza chain since 2019. He also earns 20 cents for each Shaqaroni pizza that is sold. With $3 million worth of pizzas sold just in 2020, that means Shaq made $600,000 by using his name to sell pizza.
What royalties does Shaq own? ›Due to his extensive investment in ABG, Shaq owns a percentage of Elvis' royalties. He also owns a percentage of Marilyn Monroe, Muhammad Ali, Forever 21, David Beckham, and Barney's New York.
How many franchises does Shaq own? ›Shaq has now ventured into the world of being the franchiser. He has created his fast-food dining called Big Chicken, which serves delicious chicken sandwiches in extra-large portions. Shaq has personally overseen every aspect of this venture. So far, he has 10 locations that are receiving great reviews.
Who is highest-paid NFL coach? ›Bill Belichick, $20 million
With six Super Bowl rings and 23 years of tenure with the New England Patriots, it makes sense that Belichick is the highest-paid coach. He also makes personnel decisions for the Patriots, including the draft, free agency and trades.
How much does Sam Kerr earn? Sam Kerr will be the first Australian female footballer to earn over $1 million. The bulk of that will come from her contract with Chelsea worth an estimated $2 million over 2.5 years. Sam also has a $1 million endorsement with Nike.
How much does Steve Kerr make per season? ›Steve Kerr net worth
As per Celebrity Net Worth, Steve has a net worth north of $35 million. He takes home an annual salary of $5 million at present as head coach of the Warriors. The Golden State job remains his only gig as head coach in the NBA.
Strahan signed a new contract with ABC in 2016. It was reported at the time that the deal could almost double his "GMA" salary, to around $20 million per year. He re-signed with ABC in 2021, wth Variety reporting the deal was for four years.
How Much Does Terry Bradshaw make on Fox? ›Terry Bradshaw Fox salary
Despite Bradshaw's other TV success, a large portion of his income comes from his contract with Fox. Estimates of Bradshaw's overall salary vary, but Celebrity Net Worth reports it is $5 million. However, estimates say that Bradshaw's Fox contract makes up $2 million of that number.
What Is 'GMA' Host George Stephanopoulos' Net Worth? George has an estimated net worth of $40 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The outlet also reports that the anchor is making a salary of around $15 million.