Robert Horry recently appeared on the ‘Dan Patrick Show’ to discuss the astonishing salaries NBA players are now commanding. The conversation delved into the sustainability of such high earnings and the broader implications for the sport and its fans.
Dan Patrick: “Is it sustainable that everybody’s making 50, 60? You’re going to have Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, final year of his deal, he’s going to make $81 million.”
Robert Horry: “Yeah, it’s getting crazy. And I’m happy for these guys to get their money. But what I’m going to look back at is the fans are going to pay the price because ticket prices are going to go up, you know, and then the concession stands are going to go up and it’s just going to get, it’s just going to get priced out at a point.”
“But you know, hopefully they, you know, they can add a couple of more teams and kind of make a little bit more money across the league, but it’s, it’s, it’s going to get bananas.”
“And pretty soon you think about, you know, all the guys that are up in age that are superstars that are up like Paul George, LeBron James, they still gonna get paid too. And then you got the young bucks that coming up, they gonna get paid. So it’s bananas out there where the money’s going. Wish I was still 20 years younger.”
Dan Patrick: “Well, what would Jordan be worth?”
Robert Horry: “A team, a billion dollars. You just give him the team. Here’s your team, construct the team however you want it. And everything, every money that comes in belongs to you.” (5:42)
Dan Patrick initiated the discussion by highlighting the astronomical figures, mentioning that players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are set to earn up to $81 million in the final year of their contracts. This prompted Horry to reflect on the rapid escalation of player salaries in the NBA.
Horry expressed his happiness for the players securing such lucrative deals but also voiced concerns about the potential repercussions for fans. Horry highlighted the inevitable rise in costs associated with attending games, suggesting that as player salaries increase, so too will the expenses for fans.
This could potentially lead to a scenario where the average fan is priced out of enjoying live NBA games. Horry proposed that expanding the league with additional teams might help distribute revenue more evenly, but he acknowledged the challenges and complexities of such a solution.
The discussion also touched on the staggering sums of money that future contracts might entail. For instance, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible for a four-year, $294 million contract extension, which would see him earning $81 million in the final year. Similarly, Luka Doncic could sign an even larger deal, potentially worth $346 million over five years.
Horry humorously lamented not being 20 years younger to take advantage of these financial opportunities. He also pondered the hypothetical value of Michael Jordan in today’s market, concluding that Jordan would likely be worth a billion-dollar team, with all associated revenue directly benefiting him.
The conversation then shifted to the future of NBA salaries, with reports suggesting that players could soon be earning over $95 million annually. This projection is based on the anticipated $7 billion media deal set to commence in the 2025-26 season. The new media deal is expected to significantly boost the league’s revenue, thereby increasing the salary cap and the maximum salaries players can command.
Horry’s insights underscore a growing concern: while the financial boom in the NBA is beneficial for players, it could inadvertently alienate the fanbase that supports the league. The rise in ticket prices and other associated costs could make attending games prohibitively expensive for many fans.
While the surge in NBA player salaries is a testament to the league’s financial health and the immense value of its stars, it also raises important questions about accessibility and the long-term sustainability of such economic dynamics.
As Horry pointed out, the consequences of these skyrocketing salaries will ultimately be borne by the fans, potentially reshaping the relationship between the NBA and its dedicated supporters.
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