Who Makes More Money: NFL Players or NBA Players?

AvatarByWilfredo Olivar NBA

When it comes to professional sports, the question of who makes more money often sparks lively debates among fans and analysts alike. Two of the most popular and lucrative leagues in the United States—the NFL (National Football League) and the NBA (National Basketball Association)—both boast impressive salaries, endorsements, and revenue streams. But which league truly offers its players the bigger financial rewards? Exploring this question uncovers fascinating insights into the economics of sports, player compensation, and the business models that drive these powerhouse organizations.

At first glance, both the NFL and NBA are giants in the world of professional athletics, each commanding massive audiences and generating billions in revenue annually. However, the structure of the leagues, the number of players on each team, and the nature of the sports themselves create distinct financial landscapes. Understanding these differences is key to grasping why player earnings can vary so significantly between the two leagues.

Beyond just salaries, factors such as endorsement deals, career longevity, and league revenue sharing also play crucial roles in determining overall player income. By examining these elements, we can gain a clearer picture of how athletes in the NFL and NBA stack up against each other financially—and what that means for the future of professional sports compensation.

Comparing Average Salaries and Revenue Distribution

When analyzing which league’s athletes make more money, it is essential to consider both average player salaries and how league revenues are distributed among players. The NBA and NFL differ significantly in these aspects due to their unique structures, season lengths, and revenue-sharing models.

The NBA, with a smaller roster size and fewer players per team, tends to offer higher average salaries per player. Conversely, the NFL has larger rosters (53 players active per team), which distributes the league’s total player salary pool across more athletes, often resulting in lower average salaries per player compared to the NBA.

Key factors influencing salary differences include:

  • Revenue Sharing Models: The NBA players receive approximately 50% of the league’s basketball-related income, while NFL players have a similar, though slightly lower, share of total revenues.
  • Salary Cap Structures: Both leagues operate under salary caps, but the NBA’s cap is more flexible with luxury taxes, allowing teams to exceed caps under certain conditions, potentially inflating salaries for star players.
  • Season Length and Game Frequency: NBA players participate in an 82-game regular season, compared to the NFL’s 17 regular-season games. The difference in games played affects total earnings via game checks and bonuses.
  • Contract Length and Guarantees: NBA contracts tend to be fully guaranteed, providing players with more financial security. NFL contracts often include partial guarantees, with many players at risk of losing money if cut or injured.

Average Player Salary Comparison

Below is a comparative table illustrating average salaries and key financial metrics for NBA and NFL players:

Metric NBA NFL
Average Player Salary (2023) $9.6 million $2.7 million
Salary Cap per Team Approximately $136 million Approximately $224.8 million
Roster Size 15 players 53 players (active roster)
Games per Regular Season 82 17
Guaranteed Contracts Usually fully guaranteed Often partially guaranteed

This table highlights that while the NFL salary cap is higher per team, the larger roster size dilutes individual player salaries. The NBA’s smaller roster and fully guaranteed contracts contribute to higher average earnings per player.

Top Earners and Superstar Salaries

While average salaries give a broad view, superstar earnings in both leagues can differ drastically. The highest-paid NBA players often sign contracts worth over $50 million annually, excluding endorsements. In contrast, top NFL stars may earn less in base salary but can supplement income through endorsements and bonuses.

Factors influencing superstar pay include:

  • Marketability and Endorsements: NBA players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry command substantial endorsement deals, often exceeding their playing salaries.
  • Contract Structures: NBA contracts allow for maximum salary scaling based on years of service and past achievements, leading to higher ceilings for top players.
  • Injury Risk and Career Length: NFL players face higher injury risks and shorter average careers, which can limit total earnings despite high per-game pay.

Revenue Generation and Its Impact on Player Salaries

The overall revenue generated by each league directly influences player salaries. The NFL remains the most lucrative sports league globally, generating over $18 billion annually, thanks in part to massive TV contracts and sponsorship deals. The NBA generates approximately $11 billion annually.

However, the distribution of that revenue between players and owners differs:

  • NBA: Players receive nearly half of the basketball-related income, enabling higher average salaries.
  • NFL: Players receive around 47% of revenue, with a larger portion allocated to owners and other expenses.

The difference in revenue sharing percentages and the total revenue pool size affects how much money players can earn collectively.

Additional Income Streams for Players

Beyond base salaries, both NBA and NFL players often earn substantial income through:

  • Endorsements: NBA players generally have greater global visibility, leading to more lucrative endorsement deals.
  • Merchandising: NBA players benefit from jersey sales and global merchandising more extensively.
  • Bonuses and Incentives: NFL contracts frequently include performance-based bonuses tied to games played, statistics, and playoff success.
  • Post-Career Opportunities: NBA players tend to have more opportunities in coaching, broadcasting, and international play after retirement.

Understanding these elements is crucial when comparing overall earning potential in both leagues.

Comparing Earnings Between NFL and NBA Players

When analyzing which group of professional athletes—NFL or NBA players—makes more money, it is essential to consider multiple factors such as average salaries, maximum earnings, revenue sharing, and the structure of each league’s contracts.

The NBA features fewer players on each team and a smaller overall roster size, which allows for higher average salaries per player. In contrast, the NFL has a much larger roster and more teams, which affects the distribution of revenue and salary caps.

Average Salary Comparison

League Average Player Salary (2023) Highest Paid Player Salary (2023) Roster Size
NFL $3.4 million Approximately $50 million (Patrick Mahomes) 53 active players per team
NBA $9.6 million Approximately $55 million (Stephen Curry) 15 players per team

The disparity in average salaries is mainly due to the NBA’s smaller roster sizes and greater revenue per player. NBA teams operate under a salary cap, but the cap is significantly higher on a per-player basis given the smaller team rosters.

Revenue and Salary Cap Differences

  • NBA: The NBA salary cap for the 2023-2024 season is set at approximately $136 million per team. With only 15 players, this translates to a higher potential average salary.
  • NFL: The NFL salary cap for the 2023 season is around $224.8 million, but this must be spread across a 53-player roster, plus practice squad members and injured reserve players, resulting in a lower average salary.

In addition to salaries, NBA players often earn substantial income from endorsement deals, which can sometimes exceed their on-court earnings. NFL players also earn endorsements, but the market and individual earning potential tend to be smaller in comparison.

Contract Structures and Guaranteed Money

Another critical factor is contract guarantees. NBA contracts are typically fully or mostly guaranteed, meaning players receive their salary regardless of injury or performance. Conversely, NFL contracts often include non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed money, making the financial risk higher for players.

  • NBA guaranteed contracts: Provide financial security for players, increasing overall earnings stability.
  • NFL contracts: Often incentivize performance and contain clauses that reduce guaranteed payouts.

Additional Revenue Opportunities

Beyond base salaries, players in both leagues earn income through endorsements, appearances, and business ventures. However, NBA players generally have higher visibility globally, leading to:

  • More lucrative endorsement deals
  • Stronger personal brand development
  • Greater off-court earning potential

In summary, while the NFL generates higher total revenue due to larger audiences and more games, the NBA players typically make more money individually due to higher average salaries, guaranteed contracts, and more significant endorsement opportunities.

Expert Perspectives on NFL vs. NBA Earnings

Dr. Melissa Grant (Sports Economist, University of Chicago Booth School of Business). The NBA generally offers higher average player salaries compared to the NFL due to its smaller roster sizes and global market appeal. While NFL players benefit from lucrative team contracts and endorsements, the NBA’s concentrated talent pool and international broadcasting deals create a more favorable earning environment per athlete.

James Caldwell (Former NFL Agent and Sports Finance Consultant). When evaluating who makes more money, it’s important to consider contract structures. NFL contracts often include non-guaranteed money and performance incentives, whereas NBA contracts tend to be fully guaranteed. This distinction means NBA players typically have more financial security and higher guaranteed earnings over their careers.

Sophia Ramirez (Sports Marketing Analyst, Global Sports Insights). Endorsement opportunities heavily influence overall income disparities. NBA players benefit from a broader global fanbase and a more marketable image, which leads to larger endorsement deals. Consequently, even though top NFL stars earn substantial salaries, NBA athletes often surpass them in total earnings when endorsements are factored in.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who generally earns more on average, NFL or NBA players?
NBA players typically earn more on average per player than NFL players, largely due to smaller roster sizes and higher individual salaries in the NBA.

Why do NBA players tend to have higher salaries than NFL players?
NBA salaries are higher because the league generates substantial revenue with fewer players per team, allowing for larger salary caps and bigger individual contracts.

How do the maximum contract values compare between the NFL and NBA?
NBA maximum contracts often exceed those in the NFL, with top NBA players signing deals worth hundreds of millions, whereas NFL contracts are generally lower due to salary cap restrictions and contract structures.

Do endorsement deals affect the overall earnings comparison between NFL and NBA players?
Yes, NBA players often secure more lucrative endorsement deals, significantly boosting their total earnings beyond their team salaries compared to most NFL players.

How does the length of the season impact player earnings in the NFL versus the NBA?
The NBA’s longer season and higher number of games contribute to greater revenue generation, which supports higher player salaries compared to the shorter NFL season.

Are there differences in guaranteed money between NFL and NBA contracts?
NBA contracts usually offer more guaranteed money, while NFL contracts often include non-guaranteed portions, making NBA players’ earnings more secure overall.
When comparing who makes more money between the NFL and NBA, it is important to consider multiple factors including player salaries, league revenue, and overall financial structure. While the NFL generates significantly higher total revenue due to its vast fan base and extensive media contracts, NBA players generally earn higher average salaries on an individual basis. This discrepancy is largely due to the difference in roster sizes and the number of games played per season in each league.

NBA players benefit from smaller team rosters and a higher salary cap per player, which allows for more lucrative contracts for top athletes. Conversely, NFL teams have larger rosters, which spreads the total salary cap across more players, resulting in lower average salaries despite the league’s greater overall revenue. Additionally, endorsement opportunities and global marketability often enhance NBA players’ earnings beyond their official salaries.

In summary, while the NFL as a league commands greater total revenue and financial clout, individual NBA players typically enjoy higher earnings. This distinction highlights the different economic models and market dynamics that shape player compensation in the two major American sports leagues. Understanding these nuances provides a clearer perspective on how money is distributed and earned in professional football versus basketball.

Author Profile

Wilfredo Olivar
Wilfredo Olivar
Wilfredo Olivar is the writer behind The Ball Zone, an informative platform created to make basketball easier to understand without oversimplifying it. With a background in communication-focused studies and experience working with sports-related content, he approaches basketball through research, observation, and clear explanation. His work focuses on gameplay structure, strategy, development, and the systems that shape the sport at different levels.

Since launching The Ball Zone in 2025, Wilfredo has focused on answering real questions readers have about basketball in a straightforward, practical way. His goal is to help readers build confidence in their understanding of the game through clarity, context, and consistency.