Golden State Warriors icon Stephen Curry recently shed light on the current compensation structure for NBA players. In a recent interview, the four-time NBA champion noted that, considering the revenue that the league brings in, the players are unable to earn up to their fullest potential, primarily due to the present Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rules.
Here is what Curry said about the new CBA guidelines.
Stephen Curry claims NBA players are ‘underpaid’ due to new CBA
In an interview with Complex, Stephen Curry stated that due to the current CBA structure, NBA players do not have the option to acquire equity, which, in turn, limits their payment in the league.
“I think, because the way the CBA is structured right now, we can’t participate in equity,” he remarked. “And that’s a big deal because it is a partnership with ownership. It’s a partnership with the league. And we’re on a short-term of that revenue.”
Steph Curry’s comments may be perceived by some as unwarranted, given that he will be taking home $59.6 million for the upcoming NBA season. However, the veteran point guard provided another perspective to this equation. He stated, “Those numbers sound crazy. But what the league is doing from whatever area you want to compare it to, to now, is probably 10x that. So like, the idea that we can’t participate in equity while we’re playing is part of why I would say yes… We are underpaid.”
“Hopefully, sooner than later, those rules change a little bit. So that players can participate more in the upside of team equity, the league, and evaluations. Just ’cause I think we deserve it,” he added.
Currently, athletes participating in the NBA take home 51% of the league’s basketball-related income in a season. This is among the highest across professional sports leagues worldwide.
