Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has never shied away from big topics—and this time, he’s weighing in on one of the most debated issues in pro sports: whether NBA players are underpaid. Despite the massive salaries headlining the league, Curry didn’t hesitate to offer his take.
In a sit-down interview with Complex’s Speedy Morman, Curry was asked if he believes NBA players are underpaid. His response was a firm yes, citing a very specific reason tied to the league’s financial structure.
“I think, because of the way the CBA is structured right now, we can’t participate in equity,” Curry explained. “It’s a partnership with ownership. It’s a partnership with the league, and we’re on a short-term of that revenue.”
Curry fully understands that his earnings are substantial. According to Spotrac, he’s projected to make $59.6 million for the 2024-25 season, with a new extension pushing that figure to $62.6 million the following year. But even with those figures, Curry believes NBA players still aren’t earning in line with the league’s soaring revenue. “Those numbers sound crazy, but what the league is doing… is probably 10x that,” he added.
At the core of Curry’s argument is the issue of equity. Players generate the on-court product that drives the business, but under the current collective bargaining agreement, they are not allowed to share in team ownership or long-term profit.
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“Hopefully sooner than later, those rules change a little bit so that players can participate more in the upside of team equity, the league, evaluations, and all that type of stuff. Just ’cause I think we deserve it,” Curry said.
Reactions to Curry’s comments have been mixed. Supporters argue that stars like LeBron James and Curry themselves generate massive revenue through NBA ticket sales, media rights, and merchandise, yet don’t receive a proportional cut. Critics, however, believe that pushing for more money when superstars already make tens of millions can come off as tone-deaf.
