Sports
The NBA media rights deal could bring about a once-impossible feat: the $100 million salary
As the NBA closes in on a new media rights deal, much of the attention has been on what it means for the league and its teams. But there’s also another beneficiary of the set of deals that will reportedly pay the league an average of $6.9 billion over 11 years: the players.
Those new deals — whether they end up with Warner Bros. Discovery, NBC or Amazon as partners alongside Disney – should more than double the current deals, which are slated to pay the league roughly $3 billion next season in the final year of its contracts with Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery. While not guaranteed, the expectation among team executives is that the salary cap will rise the maximum allowable 10 percent over the first seasons under the new media landscape, which will begin with the 2025-26 season.
The amount of money set to pour into the league will likely bring about what surely was once considered an impossible feat: the $100 million salary.
NBA players are already amassing wealth like never before. Any player part of the 2022 draft class will have the opportunity to make more than $1 billion alone in NBA contracts, before any endorsements or sponsorship deals. If the cap keeps rising as projected, a player might be able to make that much over the course of two contracts in his prime. Jaylen Brown’s record-setting contract, which could be worth as much as $304 million, could look small by comparison.
The NBA could have its first $100 million salary by the 2032-33 season. That’s assuming a salary cap of $141 million next season, as the league currently projects, and then 10 percent cap-raises after that.
Under that forecast, the salary cap would hit more than $302 million, which would allow a number of players to cross the $100 million threshold. For example, a player in the first year of his supermax contract, which pays 35 percent of the cap, could make as much as $105.79 million during the 2032-33 season — that’s double the league-high $51.9 million Stephen Curry made this season. A player in the second year of a supermax contract that kicked in the season before could make $103.86 million that season. A player in the third year of a supermax contract that began during the 2030-31 season could make $101.41 million.
The size of the contracts will be eye-popping. A five-year supermax deal that begins with the 2030-31 season will be worth $507 million under these estimates. One that begins the next season will be worth $557.78 million. The supermax that kicks in during the 2032-33 season would be valued at $613.56 million.
Projected NBA Supermax Contracts
| Season | Projected Cap | 35% Max Salary | Supermax Deal |
|---|---|---|---|
|
24-25 |
$141 million |
$49.35 million |
$286.23 million |
|
25-26 |
$155.1 million |
$54.29 million |
$314.85 million |
|
26-27 |
$170.61 million |
$59.71 million |
$346.34 million |
|
27-28 |
$187.671 million |
$65.68 million |
$380.97 million |
|
28-29 |
$206.438 million |
$72.25 million |
$419.07 million |
|
29-30 |
$227.082 million |
$79.48 million |
$460.98 million |
|
30-31 |
$249.79 million |
$87.43 million |
$507.07 million |
|
31-32 |
$274.769 million |
$96.17 million |
$557.78 million |
|
32-33 |
$302.246 million |
$105.79 million |
$613.56 million |
Those numbers could be overly generous, of course. Maybe the cap doesn’t go up 10 percent every year, and salaries don’t go up so quickly. While the national media rights could account for roughly 30-40 percent of all basketball revenue when they kick in, the local media revenue seems set to dip — and who knows what other issues might pop up.
That timetable might also be too slow. Either the NBA or the NBPA could opt-out of this CBA by Oct. 15, 2028 and that would trigger a new CBA for the 2029-30 season. What if that CBA doesn’t have cap-smoothing and has no ceiling on how quickly the cap can go up? Or, it gets rid of the rule that sets max salaries at 35 percent of the cap? Get ready for some big numbers.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver and president of global content & media distribution Bill Koenig have surely made a lot of people happy. The league’s still-new collective bargaining agreement was written with a new media rights deal in mind and this should allow the NBA to have labor peace through the end of this CBA, set to run until 2030 if no one opts out. There was always a small chance that the NBA would ever have to execute the opt-out clause it has in the current CBA that lets it get out of the agreement if its media income fell to a certain threshold compared to what it took in during the 2022-23 season. But with such large numbers on the horizon, the league — and its players — is approaching even loftier wealth.
Since it’s never too early to talk about the offseason — at least that’s what every TV segment about the NBA tells me — it’s a good time to remind everyone about this summer’s hottest read: the CBA.
Some of the most restrictive parts of the new CBA are set to come in next season and the new cap year starts on July 1. They will color how teams act this summer.
Starting with the first day after the just-concluded regular season, teams above the first apron ($172.346 million) can only trade for a player who makes up to the value of the salary they are dealing away. Any traded player exceptions first-apron teams generated over the past year will no longer be usable unless they get back down below the apron.
Teams above the second apron ($182.794 million) can no longer aggregate player salaries — that provision kicked in with the end of the regular season. Those teams cannot send out their own player in a sign-and-trade, and they can’t send cash in a trade.
The “frozen pick” rule will go into effect next season. If a team is above the second apron on the last day of the 2024-25 regular season, then its first-round pick seven years out (2032) cannot be traded. If that team is above the second apron in two of the next four years, that frozen pick will also be moved to the end of the first round in that year’s draft. A team can unfreeze its pick if it is below or equal to the second apron in at least three of the next four years.
If a team does one of the things listed above, then it will be hard-capped at the apron threshold it has yet to cross.
If a team pulls off a trade between the end of the regular season and the start of the new cap year with a maneuver that is not allowed for teams above the first or second apron, then that team will be hard-capped for the rest of the current salary cap year and the next one. But the new CBA does allow teams some flexibility because that doesn’t kick in until after the 2024-25 regular season; teams can still have their total salaries go above an apron level between the end of the 2023-24 regular season through June 30, 2024 without being hard-capped.
There is also a new concern for teams that don’t hit the salary floor. Starting with the 2024-25 season, teams that don’t hit the floor won’t receive any of the money paid out to non-taxpaying teams.
Beginning on July 1, teams will now be able to use the non-taxpayer midlevel, the room midlevel or the biannual exception to trade for one or multiple players or acquire a player on a waiver claim (the player’s contract can’t exceed the max length allowed by that exception). The exception won’t be able to get aggregated.
Teams will also get more latitude with extend-and-trade contracts. On July 1, those will be able to go up to a total of four years and 120 percent of the prior salary.
(Photo: David Berding / Getty Images)
Sports
Spurs blow out Thunder, force Game 7 as Victor Wembanyama leads the way with 28-point double-double
Trump says he thinks he’ll attend NBA Finals game
President Donald Trump said during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday that he believes he will attend an NBA Finals game next week, as the New York Knicks make their first Finals appearance in nearly 30 years.
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The Western Conference Finals will come down to a Game 7 after the San Antonio Spurs routed the Oklahoma City Thunder, 118-91, in Game 6 on Thursday night.
Game 7 heads back to Oklahoma City, where the winner will face the New York Knicks in the NBA Finals after New York swept the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With their backs against the wall, the Spurs did what was necessary on their home court and then some. And it was their phenom, Victor Wembanyama, leading the way.
Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game Six of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 28, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The 7-foot-4 big man led the Spurs with 28 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including four three-pointers made, while notching a double-double with 10 rebounds, two assists, two steals and three blocks.
This was the performance head coach Mitch Johnson and the rest of the team needed from Wembanyama, and he was up for the challenge as the Thunder were looking to make it back-to-back NBA Finals appearances.
Instead, the Thunder’s three-point shooting woes returned in San Antonio, much like they did in Game 4 of this series. They took a whopping 40 threes, but only cashed in 10 of them, finishing 25% from beyond the arc on the night.
SPURS SNAP THUNDER’S PLAYOFF WIN STREAK BEHIND VICTORY WEMBANYAMA’S INCREDIBLE GAME 1 PERFORMANCE
As a team, the Thunder shot just 37%, and MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is among the culprits for the poor shooting night. He had just 15 points, going 6-of-18 from the field and 0-of-5 from three-point land. Lu Dort was also ice cold from three, going just 1-of-9 and 2-of-11 for the game.
Meanwhile, San Antonio was getting more than just “Wemby” contributions, especially from rookie Dylan Harper, who played a vital role in the blowout off the bench.
Dylan Harper of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on May 28, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Harper was quite efficient when he had the ball in his hands, going 6-of-9 from the field for 18 points, while tallying six rebounds and four assists in his pivotal 22 minutes off the pine.
And in the starting five, Stephon Castle was getting to the rim like he’s supposed to, scoring 17 points while dishing out nine assists for the Spurs. Devin Vassell also hit four of his seven three-point shots for 12 points, while Julian Champagnie poured in 10 more with six rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks on the other end of the hardwood.
The Spurs saw 12 different players contribute on the scoreboard in this contest, some of whom made their way into the game when the Thunder conceded and already started to focus on Game 7. And that swing came in the third quarter, when the Spurs outscored the Thunder, 32-13, and started to run away with this must-win game for their franchise.
San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama shoots against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first half of Game 6 in the Western Conference finals NBA playoffs in San Antonio on May 28, 2026. (David J. Phillip/AP)
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Now, folks, it all comes down to the ever-suspenseful Game 7, where the Thunder will hope one last home game will give them the juice to push their way into the Finals.
But the Spurs are hoping to recreate 1999 by earning a matchup with the Knicks in the NBA Finals.
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SOUTHERN SECTION FINALS
At Bill Barber Park, Irvine
Thursday’s Results
DIVISION 7
Edgewood 4, Ramona Convent 1
DIVISION 6
Irvine 15, Arroyo 2
Friday’s Schedule
DIVISION 1
La Mirada vs. JSerra, 7 p.m.
DIVISION 2
Whittier Christian vs. Mater Dei, 4 p.m.
Saturday’s Schedule
DIVISION 3
Riverside Prep vs. Great Oak, 7 p.m.
DIVISION 4
Mission Viejo at Oxnard, 4 p.m.
DIVISION 5
Grace vs. Northwood, 10 a.m.
DIVISION 8
Arroyo Valley vs. San Bernardino, 1 p.m.
CITY SECTION FINALS
FRIDAY’S SCHEDULE
At Legacy
OPEN DIVISION
#1 Granada Hills vs. #2 Carson, 6:30 p.m.
DIVISION III
#5 South East vs. #15 Reseda, 4 p.m.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
At Birmingham
DIVISION I
#1 Venice vs. #6 Eagle Rock, 2 p.m.
DIVISION II
#1 L.A. Marshall vs. #6 Arleta, 11 a.m.
DIVISION IV
#4 Huntington Park vs. #14 Franklin, 11:30 a.m.
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Massimiliano Allegri is set for an immediate return to the dugout after reaching a full verbal agreement to become the next head coach of Napoli.
The former AC Milan boss, who was sacked by the club this week, has committed to a two-year contract as Antonio Conte’s replacement at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
De Laurentiis Picks Allegri For The Post-Conte Era
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has moved decisively to secure a successor for Conte, after the Italian left the club by mutual consent at the conclusion of the season, settling on the experienced Allegri.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, negotiations between the two parties accelerated significantly over the last 24 hours, resulting in a full verbal agreement for Allegri to take the reins in Naples on a two-year deal.
The Tuscan tactician emerged as the top choice following a selection process that saw him beat out competition from other candidates, including outgoing Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano.
With the verbal agreement now in place, the Partenopei are ready to pivot into a new chapter under one of the most successful managers in modern Serie A history.
Legal Teams Begin Work On Contractual Formalities
The transition from a verbal handshake to a formal appointment is already underway behind the scenes. Reports indicate that Napoli’s legal and administrative teams have already begun preparing the paperwork needed to formalize the deal for Allegri.
Both lawyers and transfer officials are working through the final contractual details before the documents can be presented for definitive signatures.
While the terms of the two-year contract are understood to be settled, the club is meticulous in ensuring all administrative hurdles are cleared.
This move signals De Laurentiis’ desire to provide stability and elite leadership to a squad that remains ambitious both domestically and on the European stage.
Resolving The Final Hurdle With Milan
Despite the advanced state of negotiations with Napoli, one final obstacle remains before Allegri can be officially unveiled as the new Partenopei boss.
Allegri must first resolve his current contractual situation with Milan after being sacked by the club. Navigating the exit from his previous employment is a standard but necessary step before he can legally commit his future to the reigning Southern giants.
A Proven Winner Tasked With Scudetto Ambitions
The appointment represents a significant statement of intent from Napoli, as they bring in a coach with an glittering resume.
Allegri has already won league titles with both Milan and Juventus, and his experience in managing the pressure of elite Italian clubs was a deciding factor for the Napoli hierarchy.
Despite a dismal homecoming season at Milan in 2025-26, Napoli believe his track record and tactical acumen make him the ideal candidate.
If finalized as expected, Allegri will inherit a squad preparing for another Champions League campaign while also attempting to mount a challenge for the Scudetto next season.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will stream for free on Tubi, as well as the USA’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
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