Why They Rank
Over $250M in NBA salary. Nike shoe line generated $1B+ in retail sales before termination. 2016 and 2024 NBA champion. Anta deal post-Nike controversy.
The Fortune
Kyrie Irving has earned over $250 million in NBA salary across stints with Cleveland, Boston, Brooklyn, and Dallas. His basketball skills are considered among the most aesthetically beautiful in NBA history -- his handles, finishing ability, and shot-making led to some of the most memorable plays in modern basketball, including the championship-winning three-pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals.
Irving's financial story is complicated by controversy. His Nike signature shoe line was one of the best-selling in basketball, generating over $1 billion in retail revenue. However, Nike terminated his endorsement deal in 2022 following Irving's promotion of an antisemitic film on social media. The loss of the Nike deal cost him an estimated $11 million per year and significantly reduced his commercial income.
Despite the Nike termination, Irving signed a new deal with Anta, the Chinese sportswear brand, and his NBA salary with the Dallas Mavericks exceeds $40 million per year. He won a championship with Dallas in 2024, which partially restored his commercial value. His net worth of $90 million reflects enormous career earnings diminished by the commercial fallout from off-court controversies.
Wealth Source
NBA salary, Nike deal (terminated), endorsements, investments
Top Endorsements
Fun Facts
Irving's Nike Kyrie line was the second best-selling signature shoe in the NBA behind only LeBron's line, generating over $1 billion in retail sales before being terminated.
His championship-winning three-pointer over Stephen Curry in Game 7 of the 2016 Finals is considered one of the clutchest shots in NBA history.
He publicly stated that he believes the earth is flat, sparking a national debate about athlete influence on scientific literacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the richest athlete of all time?
Michael Jordan is the richest athlete of all time with an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion. His wealth comes primarily from the Jordan Brand, the sale of the Charlotte Hornets, and decades of endorsement deals. His NBA playing salary was just $94 million -- a fraction of his total fortune.
How do athletes build wealth beyond their playing salary?
The wealthiest athletes build wealth through endorsement deals, equity stakes in companies, brand ownership, franchise ownership, venture capital, and real estate. The key insight is taking equity over flat endorsement fees whenever possible -- turning short-term fame into long-term compounding assets.
Which athletes are billionaires?
As of 2026, four athletes have confirmed billionaire status: Michael Jordan ($3.5B), Tiger Woods ($1.3B), LeBron James ($1.2B), and Magic Johnson ($1.2B). Several others are approaching the threshold, including Arnold Palmer's estate ($875M), Lionel Messi ($650M), and Michael Schumacher ($600M).
Get Glen’s Updates
Investing insights, new tools, and whatever I’m building this week. Free. No spam.
Unsubscribe anytime. I respect your inbox more than Congress respects property rights.
Keep Exploring
Top 25 Richest Athletes
See the full ranked list of the wealthiest athletes of all time.
Read moreTop 25 Basketball Players
The greatest basketball players of all time, ranked.
Read moreBillionaires & Icons
Profiles of the world's most successful investors and builders.
Read moreGreatest Trades Ever
The most legendary investment decisions in financial history.
Read moreTop 25 Value Investors
The greatest value investors of all time, ranked.
Read moreCelebrity Superpowers
Every celebrity has a superpower. We identified all of them.
Read more