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Feb 24, 2026 | 12:30 PM EST

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LeBron James is one of the biggest players in the NBA and has been for the past 15 years. But his 2 year, $101.35 million contract doesn’t define it. And that is exactly what Scott Boras thinks will happen if the MLB starts using the salary cap system. In a recent interview with Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman, Boras was asked if the NFL and the NBA are doing well with the salary cap, then why can’t MLB?

Scott Boras said, “The presumption is they’re doing well… Did LeBron James really receive his value over the last 15 years? I don’t think anybody in their right mind would probably say that he received maybe a third of his value.”

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Boras continued, “There are so many factors that I can give you that can clearly demonstrate that a non-cap system provides much more parity than a cap system… I’m for a reward system, an absolute reward system where when we have revenue sharing… I’m also for the idea that your rewards are less if you showed a propensity for not being in the playoffs for a decade.”

The NBA operates under a collective bargaining agreement governing salaries, contracts, and revenue sharing.

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The latest agreement began July 1, 2023, lasting through the 2029–30 season officially. This system limits player salaries through maximum contract rules tied to salary cap percentages. Players receive roughly 49–51% of league revenue under modern collective bargaining agreement structures today.

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These limits prevent teams from paying players unrestricted amounts based purely on market demand.

Scott Boras believes this capped structure has restricted earnings for even historic superstar players.

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Boras pointed to LeBron James’ two-year extension worth $101.35 million with the Lakers. That averages roughly $48.7 million annually despite enormous financial influence across global basketball markets.

Boras argues that such capped earnings fail reflecting actual financial impact generated by iconic athletes. His warning reflects concerns ahead of future labor talks involving baseball players’ earnings protections.

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LeBron’s current salary contrasts sharply against his total financial impact across global basketball markets.

His career NBA salary alone has exceeded $580 million through multiple team contracts already. Yet he earns over $80 million annually from endorsements, surpassing his on-court salary significantly.

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Forbes estimated his total earnings reached $133.8 million during the 2024–25 season alone. These figures highlight financial value extending beyond his NBA contract limitations and salary cap restrictions.

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Beyond salary, LeBron’s brand generates enormous commercial influence, benefiting franchises, sponsors, and league exposure. His Nike partnership helped signature shoe sales reach $300 million annually during peak years. His lifetime earnings approach $1.3 billio,n combining contracts, endorsements, and business ventures globally.

He also became the first active NBA player reaching billionaire financial status milestone. These numbers show financial reach far beyond traditional salary cap contract limitations today.

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Despite historic influence, his contract remains tied to salary cap percentage limitations rules. His Lakers extension totals roughly $101.35 million across two seasons, including a player option.

That amount remains small compared to the total wealth exceeding $1 billion globally generated.

Scott Boras argues that such capped salaries fail reflecting actual financial value delivered to franchises. He believes LeBron earns far less than the actual market-driven unrestricted salary potential deserved.

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Boras uses LeBron’s case to warn baseball against adopting similar salary cap restrictions structures.

He argues that salary caps artificially limit superstar earnings despite generating extraordinary economic returns globally. Boras believes free markets allow players to earn proportionate value based on revenue contributions generated.

His stance reflects MLB’s current uncapped system, allowing contracts exceeding $300 million occasionally. He promises to protect baseball players from capped systems limiting their earning potential and future growth.

Instead, Scott Boras supports reward-based systems encouraging performance and financial growth for both sides involved.

He proposes rewarding teams investing in talent while allowing players to share financial success proportionately. This structure encourages spending without hard limits restricting superstar earnings potential.

Reward systems align salaries with revenue growth, increasing league value and competitive balance. Such systems strengthen partnerships between teams, players, and leagues through shared economic success incentives.

LeBron’s example symbolizes emotional tension between economic value and contract-imposed salary. Fans see his global influence reflected through billion-dollar earnings and historic financial milestones. Yet his capped salary reminds everyone structural limits still control superstar compensation.

Boras believes uncapped reward-based systems better reflect the true value players generate financially. His message resonates deeply as future labor talks shape earnings across professional sports.

New MLBPA boss gives his take on CBA and Scott Boras

Bruce Meyers is now the new boss of the MLBPA after the Tony Clark mess. He has to now answer some important questions about how he will handle the CBA negotiations and the accusation of him favouring Scott Boras.

Bruce Meyer became the MLB Players Association executive director after Tony Clark resigned.

Meyer was unanimously elected by player representatives, showing immediate trust during uncertain negotiations ahead. He now represents about 1,200 major league players entering crucial labor discussions.

His appointment arrived less than 10 months before the current agreement expires in December 2026.

Some executives and agents accused Meyer of favoring powerful agent Scott Boras recently. Boras represents many elite players earning contracts exceeding $300 million across baseball.

Meyer firmly rejected favoritism claims, saying every agent receives equal respect inside union meetings. He stressed unity matters with 30 teams preparing for difficult bargaining in the months ahead.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires in December 2026, raising lockout fears everywhere among fans.

Owners previously pushed salary cap ideas, which the union strongly resisted during past negotiations battles. Meyer warned that salary caps hurt middle players, limiting earnings across entire rosters over time periods.

He also defended arbitration, citing Tarik Skubal winning a $32 million case against the Detroit Tigers’ payroll.

Meyer immediately began meeting players, planning visits across all 30 teams this spring.

He answered calls from MLB officials, including deputy commissioner Dan Halem, personally after the appointment announcement. Players watched closely, knowing union decisions would shape salaries and futures beyond the 2026 season.

For now, Meyer promised to protect players, refusing systems reducing fair earnings opportunities for everyone involved.

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