Basketball is a popular sport around the world, and many talented players have the opportunity to compete professionally in various countries. While the salaries of NBA players in the United States are often well-known, the salaries of international players can be more difficult to find. In this blog post, we’ll explore the salaries of basketball players in various countries and compare them to those in the United States.
First, let’s take a look at the United States. The NBA is widely considered the premier professional basketball league in the world, and as such, NBA players are some of the highest paid athletes in the world. According to Spotrac, the average NBA player salary in 2020 was $7.7 million per year. However, this figure can vary widely depending on a player’s experience and performance. Some of the highest paid players in the league earn over $40 million per year, while others may earn much less.
Now let’s compare these salaries to those in other countries. In Europe, basketball salaries can vary widely depending on the country and league. Some of the highest paying leagues in Europe include Spain’s Liga ACB, Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A, and Greece’s Basket League. According to Eurohoops, the average salary in the Liga ACB in 2020 was €1.1 million (about $1.3 million) per year. In the Lega Basket Serie A, the average salary was €830,000 (about $980,000) per year, and in the Basket League, the average salary was €620,000 (about $740,000) per year.
While these salaries are lower than those in the NBA, they are still very competitive compared to other professions. In addition, players in these leagues may also receive additional income from endorsements and sponsorships.
In other countries, basketball salaries may be even lower. For example, in China’s Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the average salary for foreign players is around $300,000 per year. However, this figure can vary widely depending on a player’s skill and negotiating power. In contrast, the average salary for domestic players in the CBA is much lower, at around $40,000 per year.
In the Philippines, the salaries of players in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) are also lower compared to those in the NBA and top European leagues. According to ABS-CBN News, the maximum salary for a player in the PBA in 2020 was PHP 420,000 (about $8,500) per month, or PHP 5.04 million (about $102,000) per year.
It’s important to note that these figures are just rough estimates and can vary widely depending on a variety of factors. In addition, it’s important to consider the cost of living in each country when comparing salaries. For example, the cost of living in the United States is generally higher than in many other countries, so a salary that may seem lower in another country may still be sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle.
Overall, the salaries of basketball players vary widely depending on the country and league in which they play. While NBA players in the United States are some of the highest paid athletes in the world, players in other countries may earn much lower salaries. However, it’s important to consider the cost of living and other factors when comparing salaries in different countries.
Here is a summary of overseas basketball salaries by country:
- In the United States, the average NBA player salary in 2020 was $7.7 million per year.
- In Spain’s Liga ACB, the average salary in 2020 was €1.1 million (about $1.3 million) per year.
- In Italy’s Lega Basket Serie A, the average salary was €830,000 (about $980,000) per year.
- In Greece’s Basket League, the average salary was €620,000 (about $740,000) per year.
- In China’s Chinese Basketball Association (CBA), the average salary for foreign players is around $300,000 per year, while the average salary for domestic players is around $40,000 per year.
- In the Philippines’ Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the maximum salary for a player in 2020 was PHP 420,000 (about $8,500) per month, or PHP 5.04 million (about $102,000) per year.

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