Victor Wembanyama on course to become first basketball billionaire

By Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has covered almost every Olympic sport, but Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field have his heart.

Published at :January 5, 2024 at 11:10 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 11:29 AM

(Courtesy : Forbes)

The French sensation was picked up by San Antonio Spurs in 2023 NBA draft.

Victor Wembanyama, the 7-foot 4-inch French sensation, is on track to make history as the first professional basketball player to earn $1 billion on the court. The 20-year-old, who was selected by the San Antonio Spurs as the top pick in the 2023 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft, has already signed a four-year, $55.2 million rookie contract, the largest possible deal under the US league’s current labor agreement.

This contract marks the beginning of what could be a historically lucrative playing career for Wembanyama. Unlike many of his predecessors who have amassed wealth through endorsement deals and other business ventures, Wembanyama, a native of the Paris suburb of Le Chesnay, stands to enter the ranks of the ultra-wealthy purely through his on-court earnings.

Under the NBA’s current contract limits, Wembanyama could amass more than $1 billion in basketball earnings by the age of 33. After his rookie deal ends, he could be eligible for a five-year rookie max extension deal that would pay him $316 million. If he continues to excel on the court and remains healthy, he could be in line for a so-called supermax contract worth approximately $529 million over five years. This would bring his career earnings to just over $900 million.

A second supermax deal could then put the young star over the billion-dollar hump in its first year. Such a pact could be worth $760 million over five years, according to Bloomberg estimates.

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Few other sports stars have attained billionaire status without help from businesses beyond the field. Shohei Ohtani, who signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers last month for $700 million over 10 years in the richest single contract in any professional sport, could come close to pulling in $1 billion during his playing career.

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Ajay Gandhar

Ajay Gandhar has been part of Khel Now since 2023 and has expertise across a wide range of Olympic sports. While his coverage spans the Olympic spectrum, he is passionate about Badminton, Tennis, Football, and Track and Field. Beyond his primary focus areas, Ajay is also an avid kabaddi enthusiast and closely follows the sport.