Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas predicts that Victor Wembanyama will become the first billionaire player in the NBA solely from his playing salary. In an episode of “Gil’s Arena,” Arenas confidently stated that Wembanyama would achieve billionaire status faster than LeBron James did, without the need for endorsements or investments.
With the increasing salaries in professional sports, it is not far-fetched to imagine a player reaching billionaire status through their playing career alone. The current average annual value of NBA contracts has skyrocketed, with players like Anthony Davis earning over $59 million per year.
While NBA players have to pay hefty taxes on their earnings, the rising salary cap and constantly evolving TV deals and CBA suggest that reaching billionaire status as a player will become more common in the future. Despite debates about the ethics of athletes earning such high salaries, the trend is undeniable.
Whether Wembanyama will be the first to cross the billion-dollar mark remains to be seen, but it is a milestone that is likely to be achieved by a player at some point. With the changing landscape of professional sports and the increasing financial opportunities for athletes, the era of billionaire players in the NBA may be closer than we think.