Scottie Pippen’s run with the Chicago Bulls can only be described as a major success. In 12 seasons with the Bulls, he was a 7x All-Star, 7x All-NBA Player, 10x All-Defensive Player, and 6x NBA Champion.
Throughout the Bulls’ miraculous 90s run, he was a core member, playing as a sort of “sidekick” to Michael Jordan. Unfortunately, his salary wasn’t quite reflecting the contributions he was making to his team.
When MJ retired after the 1993 Championship, Pippen stepped up big-time with averages of 22.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists, and 2.9 steals per game on 49.1 percent shooting. That season, he earned just $3.075 million. In 1996-97, Pippen’s final campaign as an All-Star, he made just $2.25 million. During their sixth, and last, Championship season, there were 121 players making more money than him.
All-in-all, it’s clear that Pippen was monstrously underpaid during his time with the Bulls.
Do you know where Scottie Pippen ranked salary-wise in the NBA during all those great years with the Bulls?
Well…
1991: No. 151
1992: No. 16
1993: No. 8
1994: No. 24
1995: No. 91
1996: No. 74
1997: No. 128
1998: No. 122
One of the biggest bargains in NBA history.
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) April 17, 2020
During a recent interview with The Guardian’s Andrew Anthony, the Bulls star was asked about how it felt being underpaid compared to his teammates.
“I think at the time there were moments when it was upsetting, but also there was so much joy that rose among the pain that I was feeling. There was too much to celebrate and enjoy to be thinking about the negative side of it.”
It must have been tough for him to have been so important to his team but not be recognized financially for it. Although, it should be noted that he actually earned quite a lot by the time it was all over, making $15 million more than even Michael Jordan did over his 17-year career.
Pippen seemed to be handling it well enough, though. Despite struggling with his financial situation during obvious points with the Bulls, he kept his head on straight and enjoyed the fruits of his labor with trophies.
Of course, going down in the history books doesn’t hurt, either.
