Τhe Top 10 EuroLeague salaries of 2025-26: Higher than ever

For the first time ever, nine out of the top ten contracts in the EuroLeague exceed $3 million net per year, marking a surprising trend despite the introduction of Financial Fair Play rules aimed at promoting financial prudence among clubs. This reflects a summer of heavy spending in the market, with the median net salary in the EuroLeague estimated to be at least $1 million, indicating that even a $2 million net contract is no longer exceptional.

The analysis uses US dollars for comparison with the NBA, noting that the euro's current strength against the dollar adds complexity. Salaries are presented as net figures due to significant variations in taxation across countries and because the EuroLeague's Financial Fair Play calculations consider net incomes. For context, EuroLeague net salaries can be roughly doubled to compare with NBA gross contracts due to higher US taxes, which explains why Spanish teams have fewer players on the list due to high taxes, while clubs like Panathinaikos feature prominently.

Key players on the list include Vasilije Micic, who tops it with a net salary of $5.6 million annually, achieved through a deal that may involve club shares. Before Micic, Kendrick Nunn was the highest-paid after signing an extension that made returning to the NBA less attractive. Other notable contracts include Sasha Vezenkov, who earns equivalent to his NBA salary, and Shane Larkin, a long-time high earner now in fourth place with others surpassing the $4 million mark. Dzanan Musa's salary nearly doubled in tax-free Dubai, Evan Fournier's pay compensates for his previous lower earnings, and Mathias Lessort joined the list after an extension despite an injury.