When and how do NBA players get paid? All the facts and details

When and how do NBA players get paid? All the facts and details

Kevin Omuya
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:22 PM

The National Basketball Association is one of the most lucrative sports leagues in the world. That means huge deals are made daily across the league during the regular season and beyond.

How do NBA players get paid so much
Dominick Barlow, #26 of Austin Spurs, drove the ball on a game against Mexico City Capitanes on January 14, 2023, at the Mexico City Arena in Mexico City, Mexico. Photo: Pablo Lomelin
Source: Getty Images

With annual salaries hovering around $1 million, the NBA has the most significant minimum contracts of any American sports league. The NFL's minimum most considerable agreement is a little over $450,000, significantly lower than Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League minimum.

How do NBA players get paid?

NBA players are paid through a combination of salary and endorsements. Most of their income comes from their salary, determined by the team they play for and their contracts. They can also earn additional income through endorsements and sponsorships with companies.

How do NBA players get paid so much?

How do NBA players get paid so much?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against the Miami Heat during the first quarter of the game at FTX Arena on January 10, 2023, in Miami, Florida. Photo: Megan Briggs
Source: Getty Images

NBA basketballers are paid high salaries for several reasons. The first is that they generate significant revenue from television contracts, merchandise, and ticket sales, and this revenue is used to pay their salaries.

Additionally, the NBA has a salary cap, which limits how much teams can spend on salaries. Still, this cap has risen significantly over the years and allows teams to spend more on them.

The NBA is also a global brand with a large fan base, which allows teams to generate more revenue through merchandise sales and ticket sales, contributing to high salaries. The increased demand for talented players drives their wages as teams compete to acquire the best basketballers.

How do NBA players get paid weekly?

How do NBA players get paid weekly
J. Williams, #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder, steals the ball from Malcolm #13 of the Boston Celtics at Paycom Center on January 03, 2023, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Photo: Ian Maule
Source: Getty Images

In the NBA, players are typically paid bi-weekly during the regular season. Their salary is divided into 24 or 26 payments (depending on the number of weeks in the regular season), and they receive a paycheck every other week.

The NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) states that teams must pay on a regular schedule and issue paychecks no later than seven days after the end of the pay period. So, during the regular season, the basketballers receive 24 or 26 wages, with each paycheck representing a portion of their annual salary.

How do NBA players get paid after retirement?

How do NBA players get paid after retirement?
The Houston Rockets honour Elvin Hayes with a jersey retirement ceremony during the Houston Rockets game on November 18, 2022, at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Photo: Logan Riely
Source: Getty Images

After retiring from the NBA, players can continue to receive income from various sources. One way is through the pension plan, which provides financial assistance to retired basketballers. To qualify for the pension plan, one must have at least three years of service in the league. The money they receive from the pension plan is based on their years of service and salary.

Another way is via the savings and investments they made during their career. Some receive residuals from merchandise sales and other business ventures they may have invested in. Some retired basketballers also continue to earn money through public speaking engagements, coaching, broadcasting, or other forms of employment.

Additionally, some of them are eligible for the disability program, which provides financial assistance for the ones who cannot work due to a permanent disability. The NBA also offers medical benefits for retired players, including insurance and access to medical facilities.

How do NBA players get paid per game?

How do NBA players get paid for playoff?
During Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Joe Murphy
Source: Getty Images

NBA players are typically paid a salary for the entire season, divided into 24 or 26 bi-weekly payments. However, they may also have incentives or bonuses built into their contracts based on individual or team performance. These incentives and rewards can be found in various factors, such as the number of games played, minutes played, points scored, rebounds, assists, and other statistics.

For example, a basketballer with a salary of $10 million per season, if he plays in all 82 games, would earn approximately $121,951 per game. But it is important to note that this is just an approximation, and not all of them get paid the same amount per game.

It is also worth noting that some players may have performance bonuses tied to specific milestones, such as being named an All-Star, winning the MVP award, or making it to the playoffs. These bonuses can add significant money to their salaries from one to the other.

How do NBA players get paid for playoffs?

How do NBA players get paid for playoffs?
Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball during Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler
Source: Getty Images

During the playoffs, they are paid their regular season's salary. Still, they may also have additional incentives or bonuses built into their contracts based on their team's performance. These incentives and rewards can be found in factors such as how far the team advances in the playoffs, whether they win the championship, or individual performance during the playoffs.

For example, one may have a clause in their contract that pays them an additional $50,000 for each round their team advances in the playoffs. So, if their team makes it to the finals, they would earn a different $150,000 (3 games x $50,000) on top of their regular salary.

How do NBA players get paid, weekly or monthly?

How do NBA players get paid weekly or monthly?
Spencer Dinwiddie, #26 of the Dallas Mavericks, is pressured by Cameron Johnson, #23 of the Phoenix Suns, at American Airlines Center on May 8, 2022, in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Ron Jenkins
Source: Getty Images

Basketballers are typically paid bi-weekly during the regular season. Their salary is divided into 24 or 26 payments (depending on the number of weeks in the regular season), and they receive a paycheck every other week. The NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) states that teams must pay them on a regular schedule and issue paychecks no later than seven days after the end of the pay period.

So, during the regular season, they receive 24 or 26 paychecks, representing a portion of their annual salary. It is worth noting that some of them may have contracts that pay them every month, which is not shared.

It is also worth noting that NBA players only get paid during the regular season and playoffs and do not receive a salary during the off-season. However, suppose a player has a guaranteed contract, meaning the team is obliged to pay the player for the entire contract duration, even if the player is waived, traded, or retires. In that case, the player will be paid for the remaining contract value.

When do NBA players get paid?

When do NBA players get paid?
Chris Paul, #3 of the Phoenix Suns, handles the ball during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs on April 24, 2022, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Layne Murdoch Jr.
Source: Getty Images

In the NBA, players are typically paid bi-weekly during the regular season. The NBA's Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) states that teams must pay players on a regular schedule and issue paychecks no later than seven days after the end of the pay period. So, during the regular season, NBA players will receive 24 or 26 wages, representing a portion of their annual salary.

It is worth noting that the NBA's pay schedule is not the same for all teams, as it depends on when the team's first regular season game falls. For example, if a team's first regular season game is on a Monday, the first paycheck will likely be issued the following Friday. Still, the first paycheck will probably be given the following Tuesday if it is on a Wednesday.

Additionally, it is essential to note that basketballers only get paid during the regular season and playoffs and do not receive a salary during the off-season. However, suppose they have a guaranteed contract, meaning the team is obliged to pay them for the entire contract duration, even if they are waived, traded, or retired. In that case, the player will be paid for the remaining contract value.

Do NBA players get signing bonuses?

Do NBA players get signing bonuses?
Boston Celtics drive to the basket against the Miami Heat during NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on May 23, 2022, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Brian Babineau
Source: Getty Images

There are a variety of routes available for athletes to increase their starting salary, notably NBA players. While endorsement deals and contract extensions are effective, signing bonuses allow them to improve their earnings even further.

When an athlete signs a contract, they may be eligible for a one-time bonus payment known as a "signing bonus." These bonuses are a standard feature of many athletes' contracts, but they are never up for discussion. It is a great way to sweeten the deal when recruiting new team members or strengthening other areas of the contract.

Their signing bonus cannot exceed 15% of their overall salary. Only the big names get the big bucks regarding signing bonuses, and Lower-tier players may occasionally be eligible for them due to the pay cap or external circumstances. Rookies with great potential can also receive a sizable compensation, like those taken in the draft's first round.

How much do NBA players get taxed?

How much do NBA players get taxed?
Green #23, Klay Thompson #11, and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors after Game Six of the 2022 NBA Finals on June 16, 2022, at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Joe Murphy
Source: Getty Images

For players in the National Basketball Association, filing taxes is complicated because of the nature of their profession. They must factor in their home cities and the "jock tax" they incur simply by playing in the league.

The salaries of all NBA players are subject to federal taxation, and those who make the bare minimum are subject to the second-highest tax bracket. A person's highest contribution rate applies if their annual income exceeds $1 million. Depending on their location, customers must submit their state tax payment (not where they play).

After that is completed, every league member will be subject to a 3% "jock tax" levied on those who earn money in a state but do not reside there. After everything is accounted for, the athletes receive whatever is left over.

A player's annual salary is not capped outside of minimum contracts, and it begs the question, "How do NBA players get paid?" given their staggering yearly wages. Most NBA players receive direct deposits from their teams on the 15th of every month.

READ ALSO: Cristiano Ronaldo's family: All the facts on CR7’s wife, children, parents and siblings

Sports Brief has published an article about Cristiano Ronaldo's family. Since becoming successful in his football career, his family has acquired support directly from the star. Do you know how many children Christiano has? Find out more about Ronaldo's family by checking the link above!

Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.