While NBA players earn substantial salaries, Stephen Curry argued that equity restrictions leave them financially undercompensated.

Every few years, the league reworks its salary cap, free agency rules, contract structures, and other financial regulations via the CBA. Under the latest agreement, the league restricts players from holding equity in teams while they are still playing. 

Addressing that, in a 2025 interview with Speedy Morman, Stephen Curry laid out a detailed explanation. He said, “We can't participate in equity. And that's a big deal because it is a partnership with ownership. It's a partnership with the league.”

Curry described the restriction as inconsistent with players' partnership role in the league's growth. Notably, when the Warriors drafted him in the 2009-10 season, Forbes valued the team at $315 million. Over the course of his career, with 4 titles and 6 finals appearances, Forbes now values the team at $11 billion.

Hinting at that, Steph added, “The idea that we can't participate in equity while we're playing is a part of why I would say yes, we are underpaid because you want to be able to participate in that rise.”

At the same time, he strongly highlighted the benefits that players have already attained through their earnings. “We're blessed to be in a position where we're playing basketball for a living, and these are the type of cheques that people are earning, and I think it's all deserved.”

Currently, Steph is the highest-paid player in the NBA and is owed $62 million for the upcoming season.

Stephen Curry on the future

A Sports Illustrated article stated the reason behind the CBA rule. The restriction on players’ participation in the team’s revenue is to prevent hidden compensation.

However, Stephen Curry hoped that the system would evolve. “I feel like hopefully, sooner than later, those rules change a little bit so that players can participate more in the upside of team equity, the league valuation,” he added.

For now, the players can continue to earn the team’s revenue after retirement. They can invest or even own a franchise group. Notably, LeBron James has expressed his desire to own an NBA franchise several times, especially in Las Vegas.

Curry could also follow a similar path. The star guard is one of the few billionaires in the league and is under contract for one more season. 

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Written by

Shahul Hameed

Edited by

Siddharth Rawat