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The NBA player salaries have grown exponentially since the 90s. There have been numerous max contracts in the NBA which have turned heads of sports fans across the globe. However, recently, the Portuguese soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo has signed a new contract that dwarfs the NBA salaries by a substantial margin. The soccer icon’s latest contract with a Saudi Arabian soccer team blows away the humongous salaries of the likes of LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Although the NBA fandom has heard about a lot of crazy contracts, this is probably unbelievable for most.

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Many NBA legends in the past have demanded exorbitant salaries as they realized their worth. But none could have even dreamt of negotiating a deal like Ronaldo.

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Cristiano Ronaldo’s salary dwarfs LeBron James and Stephen Curry’s contracts?

The Portuguese soccer legend signed a two-year contract with the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. According to a report in The Athletic, Ronaldo will be paid $214 Million a year, an amount unheard of in sports history. The NBA salaries look pale compared to this staggering deal. Stephen Curry earns $48 Million a year, after disregarding endorsement deals, topping the list of highest-paid NBA stars. Russell Westbrook and LeBron James come in second and third position, as they are paid $47 Million and $44 Million respectively.

The salaries of basketball superstars have always exceeded that of soccer stars. The primary reason is that there are fewer basketball players in a team than in soccer.?

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Both sports have a salary cap for teams. But due to the lesser amount of basketball players, they can dip their feet in bigger pools of money.?All of the above facts emphasize how impressive Ronaldo’s deal is. The former Real Madrid superstar had a fallout with his former team, Manchester United just before the FIFA World Cup. The fallout led to a mutual termination of his contract and as of December 2022, Ronaldo is the newest forward of Al-Nassr.

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Although Ronaldo’s transfer makes NBA contracts look miniscule, there are a lot of factors influencing NBA contracts.?

Intricacies in the NBA contracts for rookie and experienced players

The NBA contracts do have a salary cap, but much of it is based on the experience of players. If one were to explain in layman’s terms, rookie players, no matter how talented they are, can’t receive the same amount of money as experienced veterans.

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To further expand, a player with five years of experience will be paid a minimum of $2.1 million, according to the 2022-23 budget. The 2022-23 soft spending limit of a team is set at $123 Million.

What do you think of Ronaldo’s mammoth contract? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by

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Shankha Shuvra Das

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Shankha Shuvra Das is an NBA writer whose expertise lies in the intricacies of the league's business side. With a Master's Degree in Economics, he is well-equipped to analyze the complex commercial aspects of the world's third-richest sports league. As a writer at EssentiallySports, Shankha has demonstrated remarkable proficiency, particularly in his coverage of the FTX debacle that implicated several NBA stars. His in-depth analysis and transparent reporting have earned him a reputation for delivering high-quality content that fans and industry professionals alike can trust. Shankha's extensive coverage of Shaquille O'Neal and his various ventures outside of basketball also showcases his ability to provide insight into the business side of sports. His writing is engaging, informative, and always well-researched, making him a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a better understanding of the NBA's commercial landscape. When he's not busy writing, Shankha can be found hitting pads at a kickboxing gym or trying his hand at writing screenplays for movies. This passion for both sports and creative endeavors is reflected in his work, which always showcases a unique perspective and attention to detail. Overall, Shankha is a skilled writer whose transparency and commitment to quality make him a trusted authority on the business of the NBA.

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Satagni Sikder

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