This blog will examine the highest paid players in 1989. These athletes have spawned a new era of professional sports, with their salaries and commercial deals out-performing other sports leagues by nearly threefold.
The “highest-paid athlete in 1987” was a baseball player named Alex Rodriguez. He is the highest paid athlete in the history of the sport. This year, he made $33 million.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
An article from the Orlando Sentinel recently published a partial clipping of the 1989-90 NBA season and their salaries. Basketball-Reference only shows salaries for NBA players back to the 1990-91 season. While these salaries are somewhat estimated, there is one glowing omission. Isaiah Thomas, the Finals MVP of the repeat champion Detroit Pistons, was not a top-10 highest-paid player.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
An article from the Orlando Sentinel recently published a partial clipping of the 1989-90 NBA season and their salaries. Basketball-Reference only shows salaries for NBA players back to the 1990-91 season. While these salaries are somewhat estimated, there is one glowing omission. Isaiah Thomas, the Finals MVP of the repeat champion Detroit Pistons, was not a top-10 highest-paid player.
Who was? We look at that now. These are the 10 highest-paid players from the 1989-90 season.
Table of Contents
- 1 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 2 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 3 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 4 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 5 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 6 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 7 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 8 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 9 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 10 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 10.1 Next
- 10.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 10.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 10.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 10.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 10.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 11 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 12 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 13 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 14 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 15 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 16 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 17 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 18 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 19 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 20 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 20.1 Next
- 20.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 20.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 20.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 20.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 20.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 21 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 22 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 23 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 24 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 25 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 26 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 27 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 28 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 29 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 30 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 30.1 Next
- 30.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 30.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 30.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 30.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 30.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 31 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 32 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 33 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 34 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 35 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 36 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 37 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 38 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 39 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 40 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 40.1 Next
- 40.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 40.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 40.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 40.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 40.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 41 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 42 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 43 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 44 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 45 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 46 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 47 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 48 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 49 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 50 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 50.1 Next
- 50.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 50.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 50.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 50.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 50.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 51 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 52 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 53 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 54 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 55 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 56 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 57 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 58 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 59 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 60 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 60.1 Next
- 60.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 60.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 60.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 60.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 60.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 61 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 62 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 63 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 64 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 65 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 66 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 67 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 68 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 69 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 70 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 70.1 Next
- 70.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 70.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 70.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 70.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 70.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
- 71 Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
- 72 Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 73 David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 74 Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
- 75 Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
- 76 Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
- 77 Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
- 78 Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
- 79 2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
- 80 Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
- 80.1 Next
- 80.2 The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
- 80.3 Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
- 80.4 5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
- 80.5 Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
- 80.6 Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
An article from the Orlando Sentinel recently published a partial clipping of the 1989-90 NBA season and their salaries. Basketball-Reference only shows salaries for NBA players back to the 1990-91 season. While these salaries are somewhat estimated, there is one glowing omission. Isaiah Thomas, the Finals MVP of the repeat champion Detroit Pistons, was not a top-10 highest-paid player.
Who was? We look at that now. These are the 10 highest-paid players from the 1989-90 season.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
An article from the Orlando Sentinel recently published a partial clipping of the 1989-90 NBA season and their salaries. Basketball-Reference only shows salaries for NBA players back to the 1990-91 season. While these salaries are somewhat estimated, there is one glowing omission. Isaiah Thomas, the Finals MVP of the repeat champion Detroit Pistons, was not a top-10 highest-paid player.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
An article from the Orlando Sentinel recently published a partial clipping of the 1989-90 NBA season and their salaries. Basketball-Reference only shows salaries for NBA players back to the 1990-91 season. While these salaries are somewhat estimated, there is one glowing omission. Isaiah Thomas, the Finals MVP of the repeat champion Detroit Pistons, was not a top-10 highest-paid player.
Who was? We look at that now. These are the 10 highest-paid players from the 1989-90 season.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
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The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
At the end of the day, basketball is a business. We can scream as much as we want for our favorite players at home, but we have to remember this is their profession. They get paid, quite well these days, to play this sport. With today’s salaries topping over $50 million for some of the best players in the world, it has shown what inflation and the brand has done in the last 30 years.
An article from the Orlando Sentinel recently published a partial clipping of the 1989-90 NBA season and their salaries. Basketball-Reference only shows salaries for NBA players back to the 1990-91 season. While these salaries are somewhat estimated, there is one glowing omission. Isaiah Thomas, the Finals MVP of the repeat champion Detroit Pistons, was not a top-10 highest-paid player.
Who was? We look at that now. These are the 10 highest-paid players from the 1989-90 season.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Pervis Ellison is ranked 10th with a net worth of $2.40 million.
Wayman Tisdale is ranked ninth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
Getty Images/Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
David Robinson is ranked #8 with a net worth of $2.50 million.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Hakeem Olajuwon ($2.50 million) is ranked seventh.
Michael Jordan is ranked sixth with a net worth of $2.50 million.
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
NBA.com/Stats (NBA.com is responsible for this image./Stats) (Twitter)
Larry Bird is ranked #5 with a net worth of $2.75 million.
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Image courtesy of Getty Images
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Charles Barkley ($3.0 million) is number four.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
Magic Johnson is ranked third with a net worth of $3.10 million.
2. Chris Mullin has a net worth of $3.33 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Patrick Ewing has a net worth of $3.75 million.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
NBA.com is responsible for this image.
Next
The 1997-98 NBA Season’s Highest Paid Players: Michael Jordan’s Salary Exceeded the Salary Cap
Comparison of Kobe Bryant vs. Tim Duncan: Who Had The Better Career?
5 Times LeBron James Could Have Won MVP: The King Should Have The Most MVP Awards In NBA History
Magic Johnson’s Career against. NBA Legends: Only Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen Have Defeated Magic Johnson in Head-to-Head Matchups.
Michael Jordan’s All-Time Record Against Each NBA Team: The Cleveland Cavaliers were annihilated by the GOAT.
The “nba salary cap 1998” is the highest paid players in the NBA during the year of 1998. This list includes Michael Jordan, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kobe Bryant.
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