Shaquille O’Neal has shared financial advice with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic as he potentially approaches a $500 million contract. O’Neal’s guidance stems from his own experience of learning how to handle large sums of money responsibly after making mistakes early in his career. On ‘The Pat McAfee Show’, Shaq discussed how Doncic, who is poised to earn around $100 million per year in his next contract, could be smart about managing such a large paycheck.
“Luka is about to get $100 million, If I was him, I would say, ‘Okay, just pay me $20 million this year and defer that $80 million, just defer it to when I’m done playing.”
“Because you know that $80 million is not gonna be $80 million after taxes. Just pay me $20 million, and the other $80 million after taxes just put it away. I don’t wanna see it till I’m 35.” (5:32)
Shaq suggested that Doncic should defer a significant portion of his earnings until after retirement, ensuring long-term financial security. O’Neal pointed out that taxes would drastically reduce Doncic’s take-home pay, and deferring a large portion of his salary would allow him to grow his wealth post-retirement, when he would not be taxed as heavily.
Shaq’s advice highlights his growth from a young athlete who spent recklessly to a business mogul who values financial literacy. This advice is especially timely for Doncic, as the NBA recently signed an 11-year, $76 billion broadcasting deal, leading to an increase in salary caps and, consequently, larger contracts for top players.
With Doncic’s career trajectory, he could become the league’s first player to earn $100 million per year and potentially surpass $1 billion in career earnings. Shaq’s guidance emphasizes financial planning to ensure Doncic’s success both on and off the court for years to come.
Luka Doncic Could Be The First Player To Earn A Billion Dollars In NBA Contracts
Luka Doncic is on the verge of making NBA history, not just for his on-court brilliance but for his potential earnings as well. With the NBA’s ever-growing financial landscape, fueled by massive broadcasting deals, Doncic is positioned to become the first player to earn over $1 billion in career contracts. This would surpass even the legendary earnings of Michael Jordan and LeBron James combined.
Jordan, who revolutionized the NBA in the 1990s, earned $94 million throughout his playing career, while LeBron James, the current top earner, is expected to surpass $500 million by the time he retires. However, thanks to the skyrocketing NBA salary cap and lucrative media deals, Doncic could dwarf those numbers.
Doncic’s current contract, a five-year deal worth $215 million with the Dallas Mavericks, is just the beginning. With the NBA’s salary cap projected to continue rising due to a $76 billion media deal involving ESPN, NBC, and Amazon, the league’s top players are set to earn unprecedented sums. By 2032-33, NBA stars could be making $100 million per year, with Doncic leading the charge.
As one of the NBA’s brightest young stars, Doncic is already eligible for a “supermax” extension in 2025, potentially worth $346 million over five years. And that’s just the start—if Doncic continues on his trajectory, his subsequent contracts could push his career earnings past $1 billion by the time he retires.
In an era where live sports remain one of the most valuable commodities for TV networks and streaming platforms, players like Luka Doncic are poised to benefit from the NBA’s booming business. As the league’s revenue grows, so too will the earnings of its superstars, and Doncic could very well be the face of the NBA’s billion-dollar player era.
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