What was the average salary of NBA players in 1980?
In the 1979-80 season, the average salary in the NBA was $173,500. In 1980-81, it increased to $189,000, to $218,000 last season, and $246,000 this season. The reason for the rise is free agency, made possible by the Oscar Robertson suit settlement in 1976.
Who was the highest paid NBA player in the 80s?
Magic Johnson
Highest-paid player by season
| Year | Player | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1984–85 | Magic Johnson | $2,500,000 |
| 1985–86 | Magic Johnson | $2,500,000 |
| 1986–87 | Magic Johnson | $2,500,000 |
| 1987–88 | Patrick Ewing | $2,750,000 |
How much did NBA players make in the 70s?
In 1970, the average player earned a $35,000 salary (equivalent to around $224,000 today). By decade’s end, that had jumped to $180,000 ($641,000 today).
How much did Wilt Chamberlain make in the NBA?
Wilt Chamberlain – $250,000 ($1.7m today) Arguably the first true basketball superstar, Wilt Chamberlain broke salary records for his time with a five-year contract worth $250,000/year between 1968 and 1973.
Who is the highest paid Celtics player?
| Player Salaries | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | 2021/22 | 2026/27 |
| Jayson Tatum | $28,103,500 | $0 |
| Al Horford | $27,000,000 | $0 |
| Jaylen Brown | $25,633,928 | $0 |
When was the salary cap introduced in the NBA?
Beginning in the 1984–85 NBA season, the NBA’s first salary cap was introduced.
Who was the highest paid player in the NBA in 2008?
Kevin Garnett was the highest-paid player during the 2008–09, 2007–08, and 2006–07 seasons; he relinquished that position to Shaquille O’Neal for two seasons, but was also the highest-paid player during the 2003–04, 2002–03, 2001–02, and 2000–01 seasons.
Who was the first NBA player to make more than 5 million?
Larry Bird was the first player to earn $5 million or more with a salary of $7,070,000 in the 1991-92 season. Magic Johnson became the first player to earn $10 million or more in the 94-95 season with a salary of $14,660,000.