‘The King’ was officially dethroned ahead of the 2024-25 NBA season.
On the same day LeBron James and eldest son Bronny made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play in The Association, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar’s 11-year run as the NBA’s top annual earner came to an end.
When salaries and endorsements are combined, Golden State Warriors sharpshooter Steph Curry had surpassed King James to become the NBA’s No.1 earner, according to Sportico.
The Splash Brother was No. 2 on the list the previous year, but flipped the script on his gold medal-winning Team USA teammate to take the outright top spot.
Four-time champion Curry earned an estimated $155.8 million from salaries and endorsements in 2024-25, while James landed $133.7 million from a $48.7 million salary and $85 million in off-court incomes.
Curry’s total earnings include a one-year, $55.8 million contract extension he signed with the Warriors this offseason — giving him the highest playing salary in the NBA for the eighth straight year — plus $100 million in endorsements.
It is the first time since the 2012-13 season that someone besides James has topped the rankings.
Before Curry, the late, great Kobe Bryant is the last player to finish ahead of LeBron on the list.
Chef Curry has proven himself to be a winner on and off the court during his 15-year NBA career.
In 2017, the Golden State superstar signed the NBA’s first $200 million contract before landing a second $215 million four-year contract extension in 2021.
In 2026-27, the two-time MVP will earn $62.6 million to further enhance his already eye-watering nine-figure net worth.
He’s amassed a net worth of around $180 million according to Celebrity NetWorth and, much like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, has become a serious force in the business world.
The 36-year-old joined forces with apparel brand Under Armour in 2013, the beginnings of a highly successful 11-year partnership which has seen the brand’s worth double from $14 billion to $28 billion over the last few years.
The all-time leader in 3-pointers quickly became the face of Under Armour and together they have released ten signature Curry shoes.
In November 2020, Under Armour announced the launch of Curry Brand — a standalone label — in a bid to compete with Nike’s Jordan Brand.
Curry became president of the Curry Brand last year after agreeing to a long term deal which also gave him $75 million in Under Armour shares.
Details of the extension were kept under close wraps. However, it has been described as a ‘$1 billion lifetime contract’ due to it extending way beyond his playing career.
On top of that, he’s made an estimated $50 million more in endorsements, working with the likes of 2K Sports, Callaway Golf, CarMax, Google, JPMorgan Chase, Panini, Rakuten, and Subway.
The ten-time All-Star has also continued to build his own business portfolio away from powerhouse brands, which includes his own production company and his own line of bourbon.
After lighting up Paris during Team USA’s gold medal run with his clutch performances and signature ‘night night’ celebration, Curry rocked a ‘NUIT. NUIT.’ hoodie which he has since trademarked.
Curry is well on his way to billionaire status but still has a way to go to catch LeBron.
In 2022, James became the NBA’s first active player to become a billionaire, according to Forbes.
The 39-year-old has earned more than $479 million in his two decades at the summit of the NBA, while his business ventures off the court has seen him join MJ and Magic as the only members of NBA’s billionaire boys’ club.
A lifetime partnership with Nike, lucrative deals with PepsiCo. and Walmart, investment in entertainment and production company, SpringHill, and part-ownership of global sports, marketing, and real estate platform Fenway Sports Group have seen his personal fortune skyrocket.
As of 2025, ‘The King’ has a reported net worth of $1.2 billion, meaning he’s just as wealthy as actual royalty.
Who will be next?
Well, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander just signed the fifth biggest deal in world sports, worth $72.5 million per season.
That is $20 million more than the player option LeBron picked up for 2025-26.
SGA is tied down through 2031 on his $285 million package but at 26, will have the chance to add at least one mega extension.
He is also likely to see extra money from endorsements, which include Converse and Canada Goose, after inspiring the Oklahoma City Thunder to glory in the NBA Finals.
