Warriors’ Steph Curry drops gems on why NBA players are underpaid

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry asserted that NBA players are underpaid during an interview with Complex's Speedy Morman. Curry specifically attributed this to the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), which prohibits players from receiving equity stakes in teams despite being "partners" with ownership and the league. He emphasized that players only benefit from short-term revenue, lacking long-term financial participation.

While acknowledging his own substantial contracts—$59.6 million for the 2024-25 season and $62.6 million the following year—Curry argued these figures pale in comparison to the NBA's revenue growth. He estimated league revenues are "probably 10x" player salaries, stating the compensation fails to reflect players' true value in generating the product.

Curry advocated for CBA reforms allowing players to share in team equity and league valuation upside. "We deserve it," he declared, stressing that athletes drive the business but cannot capitalize on ownership-level profits under existing rules.

Fan reactions were divided: some agreed star players like Curry and LeBron James deserve larger revenue shares given their role in driving ticket and merchandise sales. Others criticized the stance as tone-deaf, noting superstars already earn tens of millions annually.

The article highlights Curry's point about owners perpetually benefiting from players' legacies post-retirement, while athletes lose income when their careers end. This perspective may position equity as a focal point for the NBA Players Association in future CBA negotiations.