Who are the Top 10 Richest Male Basketball Players in 2026?

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the world, and over the decades, its biggest stars haven’t just earned fame — they’ve built massive fortunes both on and off the court. Some of the richest names are retired legends whose brands and business interests continue to generate wealth, while others are still active players stacking up salary, endorsements and investments.

Here’s a detailed look at the Top 10 Richest Male Basketball Players in 2026, where they’re from, and how much they’re worth.

1. Michael Jordan — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$3.8 Billion

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Michael Jordan remains the undisputed wealthiest figure in basketball history. Even decades after retiring, his business empire continues to expand. A major driver of his wealth is the iconic Air Jordan brand under Nike, which is one of the most successful athlete-led businesses ever created. Jordan also made major profits from selling a majority stake in the Charlotte Hornets (an NBA franchise he once owned) and maintains other valuable investments and real estate holdings.

Jordan’s journey from a superstar on the court to a billionaire entrepreneur is one of the most remarkable success stories in sports business.

2. LeBron James — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$1.3 Billion

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

LeBron James is widely considered one of the best basketball players of all time, but his success off the court is equally impressive. As of 2026, LeBron sits comfortably among the wealthiest athletes in the world. His income sources include NBA salary, lucrative long-term endorsement deals (including a lifetime deal with Nike), SpringHill Company (a multimedia and entertainment firm he co-founded), equity stakes in businesses like Blaze Pizza, and minority ownership in major sports entities.

Notably, LeBron is also one of the few active athletes who is a billionaire, a testament to his business acumen and global branding power.

3. Magic Johnson — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$1.5 Billion

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Earvin “Magic” Johnson made his fortune long after his Hall of Fame playing career ended. Today, he’s a leading name in sports business and entrepreneurship. Magic’s wealth comes from investments in Starbucks franchises, movie theaters, real estate, and stakes in sports teams such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers. His company, Magic Johnson Enterprises, has grown into a diversified portfolio that continues to generate substantial annual revenue.

4. Kevin Durant — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$920 Million

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Kevin Durant is one of the most successful modern NBA stars on this list. Beyond his excellent playing career with teams like the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors, Durant is known for his smart investment strategies. Through Thirty Five Ventures, he has stakes in tech companies, finance platforms and innovative start-ups. Combined with endorsement deals, a strong playing salary history, and real estate investments, Durant has built a near-billion-dollar fortune.

5. Stephen Curry — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$875 Million

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Stephen Curry is one of the most recognizable faces in basketball globally, known for revolutionizing the three-point shot and leading the Golden State Warriors to multiple championships. His financial success includes long-term endorsement deals (especially through Curry Brand with Under Armour), substantial NBA salary earnings, and investments in media, entertainment and tech ventures. Curry’s portfolio reflects not just star power but strong business foresight.

6. Giannis Antetokounmpo — Greece

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$510 Million

• Country: 🇬🇷 Greece

Giannis “The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo is one of the most dominant players in the NBA and a global ambassador for the sport. While his on-court salary and endorsements are significant, much of his net worth comes from off-court business interests, including real estate holdings and investments through his family office. Giannis continues to grow his brand internationally.

7. Thanasis Antetokounmpo — Greece

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$395 Million

• Country: 🇬🇷 Greece

Giannis’ older brother Thanasis also makes this list due to a combination of basketball career earnings and active business ventures. Unlike many players who rely only on contracts and endorsements, Thanasis has co-founded Antetokounmpo Holdings, a private equity firm with interests in sports teams (including ownership of the Greek club Panathinaikos BC) and real estate.

8. Shaquille O’Neal — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$500 Million

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Shaquille O’Neal remains one of the most famous retired NBA players in history. After dominating in the league, Shaq invested in various business ventures, including restaurant franchises, tech start-ups, media appearances, and endorsements. His engaging personality has helped him become a major figure in entertainment as well as business.

9. Junior Bridgeman — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$600 Million

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Junior Bridgeman’s name might not be familiar to casual fans, but his story is one of the most impressive in sports business. After a solid NBA career, Bridgeman built a restaurant and franchise empire worth hundreds of millions. His success in franchising and business investments pushes him up the list of wealthiest basketball figures worldwide.

10. Vinnie Johnson — United States

• Estimated Net Worth (2026): ~$500 Million

• Country: 🇺🇸 United States

Vinnie Johnson, nicknamed “The Microwave” during his NBA playing days, has also become a prominent business figure. As the founder of an automotive manufacturing company, Johnson translated his earnings and reputation into a lucrative post-NBA career in industry and entrepreneurship.

How These Basketball Stars Built Their Fortunes

The players on this list didn’t just earn big contracts — most multiplied their earnings through smart investments, savvy business ventures, enduring brand partnerships, and sometimes ownership stakes in teams and companies.

Here are some common wealth-building paths that helped these top 10 players reach billionaire-level or near-billion-level status:

Endorsements and Brand Deals

Many of these players signed lifetime or long-term endorsement deals with global brands — often worth hundreds of millions themselves.

Business Ventures

From springing into media, tech, and real estate to owning franchise businesses, these athletes expanded beyond sports.

Equity and Investments

Holding stakes in companies — from tech start-ups to financial platforms and even other sports teams — substantially increases wealth.

Sports Franchise Interests

Some players diversified by investing in or owning stakes in other sports teams or leagues — a strategy that can generate long-term recurring revenue.

Country Snapshot of the Richest Basketball Players

Here’s a quick summary of the countries represented in the 2026 wealth rankings:

This shows that while basketball is a global sport, American players and legends have historically dominated earnings and business opportunities — but international talent like Giannis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo is rapidly making its financial mark.

Trends Driving Basketball Wealth in 2026

Several key trends have shaped the wealth landscape for basketball players:

Globalization of the Sport

With the NBA and other leagues broadcasting worldwide, international stars gain massive exposure, which fuels global sponsorship deals.

Digital and Media Expansion

Players are increasingly creating content, investing in production companies, and building personal media brands.

Investment Culture

Top athletes no longer rely solely on game earnings — they’re becoming venture capitalists, tech investors, and franchise owners.

The landscape of basketball wealth in 2026 is richer and more complex than ever before. While retired legends like Michael Jordan still lead the charge with multibillion-dollar empires, modern stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry are steadily advancing their financial legacies.

Whether through on-court salaries, endorsements, or entrepreneurial ventures, these players show that basketball success and business success often go hand-in-hand.