Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is likely to become Pro-sports first $80M Man.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is currently in the midst of a three-year dominance spree, this season being his best performance of his career.
With MVP chatter now swirling rapidly as we stride deeper into the 2024-2025 NBA season and the Oklahoma City Thunder emerging as one of the NBA’s elite teams, holding the best record in the league.
Shai’s dominance on the court is matched only by his looming financial dominance off of it. His current contract, a 5-year, $179.3 million deal, is just the beginning.
If his trajectory continues: SGA is likely to become the first player in NBA history to earn $80 million per season.
Let’s break down what that means for his wealth, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s future, and the broader landscape of NBA salaries.
The Next NBA MVP
The Road to $300 Million
Shai’s current deal pays him $35.9 million this season, but a potential supermax extension this upcoming summer could skyrocket his total career earnings to over $300 million by 2029.
The insanity of these numbers? Shai is doing this while still playing in a small market like Oklahoma City.
For comparison, let’s look at other legends who played the SG position’s highest earnings in one season:
- Dwyane Wade peaked with a $23 million salary.
- Kobe Bryant earned $30.5 million in 2013-14.
- Michael Jordan? He broke records with $33.1 million in 1997-98.
Adjusted for inflation, these numbers still pale in comparison to what Shai could command, thanks to the NBA’s skyrocketing revenue and the constant expansion of the salary cap.
Generational Wealth and Investments
At just 25, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is already setting himself up for life, amassing generational wealth.
After taxes:
- 37% federal
- 5% Oklahoma state income tax
Shai takes home about 58% of his salary, or roughly $20.8 million for the 2024-2025 NBA season.
However, it’s actually closer to $16.5 million, when accounting for additional “shadow fees” like NBA escrow and standard agent fees (typically around 3-5%, unless Shai’s agent deal differs).
It’s not just his playing salary that’s contributing to Shai’s wealth however. His endorsement deals and brand sponsors are bringing in additional millions for SGA as well.
- Converse: A $5 million deal with the brand, making Shai one of the key faces in the sneaker and apparel world.
- Jordan Brand: Another significant endorsement, solidifying Shai as part of the Jordan legacy and further boosting his marketability.
- Tissot: A partnership with the luxury Swiss watch brand adds another layer to his growing financial portfolio.
As Shai’s career progresses, the likelihood of securing even more endorsements, especially as he becomes more prominent in the NBA’s international and off-court spheres, remains high.
Because Shai is from Canada, he has the ability to snag deals from major brands in both countries, as well as owning assets such as property on both sides of the border.
While international rates may affect how much money Shai puts into his Canadian accounts, he has another avenue for his financials and personal brand to grow, where players from the states may not.
His potential to earn $80 million annually, not just from his playing salary but also from endorsements and potential business ventures; positions Shai in an elite class of athletes who are paving the way for the next generation of wealth builders.
What This Means for the Thunder
Here’s the catch:
If OKC does decide to extend Shai and lock him into an $80M deal, his salary alone would eat up over 30% of the team’s cap space.
This would leave less room to pay other stars and build depth. However, this is a decision that the Oklahoma City Thunder front office will likely make in a heartbeat.
The Thunder’s young roster is one of the league’s best, but keeping them together while paying Shai supermax money never seen in any pro-sports league in history will surely require salary cap wizardry.
The OKC front office is one of the leagues best. The NBA’s “position-less” era further complicates matters. While Shai technically plays as a guard, his versatility means his value transcends traditional roles.
His salary reflects this, as teams pay for overall impact, not just positional needs.
Cap Inflation
Shai’s looming payday is part of a broader trend in the NBA, with salaries rising year over year.
The question though, is can the league sustain this growth? With newly refreshed TV deals, the expansion of streaming services, international expansion, and increased sponsorship revenue suggesting a boom in revenue streams, the short answer is yes, for now.
However, if players like Shai start earning $80M+ on a regular basis, the pressure on franchises in smaller markets will increase, and an NBA deficit may ensue once again.
Changing the Landscape
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is changing the game , both literally and financially. He not only dominates on the court, he’s setting new benchmarks off it as well.
OKC fans better enjoy the ride, however, because the cost of keeping their MVP might just reshape their roster and the NBA salary landscape as a whole.
Big Spending
Does he rely on financial advisors to manage his wealth, or is he making those decisions himself?
These are questions we’ll explore in greater detail in future deep dives.
For now, we’ve gathered all the key financial details in one place:
NBA Salary Cap Basics. Stay tuned for more insights into how top athletes like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are managing their money.
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🔗Next Reads
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Credits
Written by: Aidan Anderson
Research and Analysis: Apostle Sports Media LLC
Sources: NBA contract databases, official NBA and team sites, Basketball-Reference, NBA historical financial reports, Oklahoma state tax information, U.S. federal tax rates, APSM proprietary analysis.
Social Media Clips From: Insta & X
Featured Image: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Instagram Account
Disclaimer: This article contains general financial information for educational purposes and does not constitute as professional advice.
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