NBA players will forfeit more than $480 million from the escrow fund after the league's basketball-related income fell short of projections for the 2024-25 season. The NBA pegged BRI at $10.25 billion, according to someone familiar with the accounting who was granted anonymity because the details are private.
Players will retain just 90.9 percent of their salaries from last season. The collective bargaining agreement requires the league to withhold 10 percent of player salaries to ensure the revenue split stays at 51 percent for players.
Top Earners Hit Hardest
Stephen Curry, the NBA's highest-paid player at $55.8 million, will forfeit $5.1 million from the escrow fund. Other star players facing significant cuts include Joel Embiid ($4.7 million), Nikola Jokic ($4.7 million), Bradley Beal ($4.6 million) and Kevin Durant ($4.5 million).
A player earning $20 million would net $18.2 million before taxes and agent fees. The 10 percent escrow was split 91 percent to teams and 9 percent back to players.
Revenue Challenges Behind Shortfall
Overall revenue likely came in light due to the choppy local media environment and multiple small-market teams reaching the playoffs. The postseason gate receipts were dented by the lack of major-market teams in the final rounds.
The escrow system has fluctuated significantly since implementation in 1999. Players received nearly 100% of their salaries in 2022-23 when revenues jumped, but the system previously cost players money during multiple seasons.
NBA players should collect their full 2025-26 salaries. The salary cap was set at $154.6 million, up the maximum 10 percent allowable increase, following new media agreements with NBC, ESPN/ABC and Amazon worth $77 billion over 11 years.
