Ever wondered how much an NBA athlete, who had a successful career both on and off the court, can end up making by the time he’s 60? Well, Kenny Smith’s 2 NBA championships and a decade-long career speak volumes about the kind of impact he had on the game. And that sure did earn him a significant portion of his wealth.

But let’s not forget that another major chunk of his wealth came from his broadcasting career, which is going quite strong as of now. So let’s have a closer look at how far Smith has come from his NBA earnings to net wealth as of 2025.

Kenny Smith’s net worth and how his NBA career earnings contributed

As of 2025, Smith’s net worth, as per Celebrity Net Worth, sits comfortably at $22 million. And it’s no secret that the impressive figure didn’t appear overnight. It’s the result of years of hard work both on the basketball court and in front of the camera, with major contributions from endorsements and other ventures as well.

It all started in 1987 when Sacramento selected Smith as the 6th overall pick. For his first two seasons, he brought in about $600,000 each year. That means by the end of his stint with the Kings, his earnings totaled around $1.2 million. Then, in 1990, he was traded to Atlanta. Though the salary records for that season aren’t crystal clear, we do know he finished the year with the Hawks, even if it was a short chapter in his journey.

Then came the Houston years—arguably the most lucrative stretch of his career. From 1990 to 1996, Smith’s paychecks steadily climbed. Starting at $700,000 in his first Rockets season, his salary rose each year, reaching $2.683 million by 1995-96. All told, he pulled in around $11.97 million during his time in Houston, making it the most financially fruitful period of his playing days.

Post-Houston, Smith bounced around the league briefly. In 1996-97, he joined the Orlando Magic, earning $190,100. Then he also spent short stints with Detroit, Denver, and even San Antonio, where he added a 1999 championship ring as a reserve. However, by that time, he was no longer in his prime, and his contracts reflected that—mostly league minimum deals.

When you tally up all his NBA seasons, Smith made close to $13.2 million. HoopsHype cites $11.97M in listed past salaries and other sources note ‘over $13M’ total. Adjusted for inflation, that sum would land near $26 million today—a solid foundation that helped launch a post-basketball career just as impressive as his time on the hardwood.

An estimate of Kenny Smith’s Broadcasting Salary

When Kenny Smith hung up his sneakers, few might’ve guessed he’d go on to build an even more impressive second act in broadcasting. Back in 1998, he stepped into the studio spotlight by joining Turner Sports as a studio analyst. Since then, his presence on TNT’s Inside the NBA—alongside Ernie Johnson Jr., Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal—has become a staple for basketball fans.

Fast forward more than 20 years, and Smith isn’t just a familiar face—he’s one of the highest-paid NBA analysts on television. In 2022, he signed a major contract extension that secures the show’s legendary core lineup through 2032. Now, reports say he earns around $16 million a year in his broadcasting role. But there is much more to Smith’s sources of income.

A closer look at Kenny Smith’s Endorsements and Partnerships

When you think of the former Houston Rockets star, it’s easy to picture him on Inside the NBA, but there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes, especially when it comes to his brand partnerships. Take 2021, for instance. That’s when Smith locked in a multi-year content deal with FanDuel, which was named the official “exclusive sports betting provider” for his broadcasts. It wasn’t just a title—FanDuel segments like “Over/Under” began popping up during TNT games, keeping fans engaged while spotlighting Smith in the sports betting space.

But Kenny’s not just about screens and stats. In 2019, he teamed up with Lowe’s Home Improvement to renovate local sports facilities. It was a hands-on initiative that showed his passion for uplifting communities. And then there’s Bojangles’, the Southern fast-food favorite—a nod to Smith’s Carolina roots, where he’s still beloved.

All-in-all, industry sources say he’s worked with at least five major brands, including the likes of Bojangles. And though he and his wife, Gwendolyn Osborne Smith, have appeared together in media projects, her earnings are entirely her own.

And just when you thought you’d seen it all, 2024 brought a surprise twist: Smith signed a one-day contract with none other than Real Madrid. The catch? It was part of a bold promotional event backed by Abbott Laboratories (Ensure nutrition). It may have been a one-day gig, but it proved once again that The Jet knows how to stay in the spotlight—and do it his way. However, it’s not just his celebrity image that brings in the bucks; his strategic investments have been just as crucial for him.

Kenny Smith’s Business Ventures and Investments

Smith, along with his ex-wife, stepped into the real estate game with some sharp moves. Back in 2011, they purchased a spacious 6,100-square-foot home in Los Angeles’ Encino neighborhood. Fast forward to 2018, they put the property on the market for a striking $3.595 million—nearly double their original purchase of $1.85 million.

With features like a private movie theater and a pool, the timing couldn’t have been better to turn a profit in a booming market. But real estate isn’t the only field where Smith has made his mark. He’s also lent his efforts to community-based and brand-aligned initiatives.

A notable one is his collaboration with Lowe’s Heroes, a charitable effort by the home improvement giant. Together, they upgraded youth sports facilities in cities like Charlotte and Atlanta. While these ventures might not directly line his pockets, they often include structured budgets and enhance his visibility, something that matters in the business world. It makes all the sense that the Houston Rockets legend has built an empire that now stands at $22 million dollars.