Heat star jokes that he would opt out for that kind of money.
Miami Heat star LeBron James has revealed that he is slightly envious of the fact that the MLB doesn’t have a salary cap following the announcement of Miguel Cabrera’s new deal.
The Detroit Tigers first baseman is in line to make $292m over the next 10 years from his contract with the franchise alone, with endorsements and sponsorships undoubtedly increasing his income further.
While baseball doesn’t have a salary cap in place, the NBA does, and players like James are capped at earning 35 percent of the $58m salary cap and can sign for no more than five years.
James is in line to earn $19m this season and while he admitted that the best players in their respective sports should be rewarded, he added that it would be nice to get that kind of money.
“I said ‘wow’. I wish we (the NBA) didn’t have a salary cap,”, he told reporters.
“He’s the best player in baseball, and the best players in each sport should be rewarded,” James added. “It’d be nice to sign a 10-year deal worth $300 million.”
Nevertheless, along with endorsements, James earns around $40m per year on top of his salary from the Heat, with most of it coming from his deal with Nike, which is believed to be worth around $19m per year.
Forbes magazine ranked James fourth highest among all athletes in total earnings earlier this year with more than $60m.
The four-time MVP has the opportunity to opt out of his contract this summer, but while many believe that he will ultimately continue his career in Miami, he jokingly conceded that if he had a choice of making a Cabrera-type deal, he would definitely opt out.
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