Seventy: The Business Door Is Officially Opened
How are NBA players paid? When he was a fan before, Link was always very curious about this question.
For those contracts that are tens of millions or even hundreds of millions, does the boss let the trucks carry the cash to the players, or write a check directly?
What does it feel like to suddenly have tens of millions of assets?
Today, however, Link finally got the answer to the mysterious question of "how do NBA players get paid". And the answer made Link quite disappointed.
He thought he could go home happily with $2 million today. But Jeff Austin's calculation made Link dumbfounded.
"First, there's the federal tax, which is 33.61%. Then there's the state tax, and Tennessee's state tax is 7%. Then there's my 3% contract fee, plus escrow fees, etc., and you've got The amount is about $1.26 million."
Looking at the numbers on Jeff Austin's calculator, Link was stunned, and his salary for co-authoring was cut by almost half!
But it's not bad to be able to go home with a million dollars. One million, this is a number that only appeared in dreams before.
However, after putting down the calculator, Jeff Austin spoke again.
"According to the rules of the NBA, November 15th is the first payday every year. After that, you will be paid on the 1st and 15th of each month, twice a month, and you will be paid 24 times a year. Since you only play with the ball. The team is signed until the end of the season, so there are not 24, only 12. So today, the amount you can take away is..." Jeff Austin said, pressing on the calculator.
"The amount of salary you can take today is $105,000. Congratulations, Link, you're a real NBA player now."
"Uh..." Link pouted, he couldn't get excited. Nonsense, I thought I could take 2 million home today, but I only got 100,000. This huge gap naturally caused Link to be poured a basin of cold water in an instant.
But then again, he used to be able to earn more than 10,000 in a year in the G League. Playing a ten-day contract in the NBA is only around 50,000. Moreover, after receiving it once, you don't know where the next one will be.
But now, he's making $100,000 every two weeks, which is great to think about. Although he was cut off by nearly half of his salary, he is still a millionaire.
Link clenched his fists, he had been fighting for so long, and his dream finally came true.
"Here's your check, Link. In a few minutes, your official signing with us will spread across the country. The media will definitely be watching you with a magnifying glass tomorrow against the Oklahoma City Thunder. , I hope you do well." Chris Wallace smiled and handed Link a check for 105,000.
This is Link's first salary, so there is a sense of ceremony. After that, the salary is usually paid directly to the player's account.
"Have a great time working together, Chris. Trust me, this summer, we'll be looking at the Memphis Grizzlies offer as soon as possible. Come on Link, your signing ceremony is over. Don't think that's the end of it, kid, the NBA road. It's still growing."
Austin got up to say goodbye to Wallace, and then walked out of the office with Link. Link looked at the $105,000 check in his hand, still a little stunned. Jeff Austin, on the other hand, looked relaxed and lit a cigarette for himself.
Jeff Austin has seen too many scenes like this. He has even signed a contract worth tens of millions of dollars, so such a small contract of several million cannot make waves in his heart at all.
"How does it feel? From the G League to the NBA, from a ten-day short-term contract to an annual salary of 2 million. You must be deeply touched." Austin patted Link on the shoulder as he said.
"Well... the world of professional basketball is pretty brutal.
But once it can be boiled out...the rewards are also very rich. "Link remembered all kinds of things in the G-League, and cherished his situation even more at this time.
If Upshaw was still around, he should have been able to wait until such a day. Returning home with a check for $100,000, the family had a lively night of celebration. Ms. Martha is sure to make her best pineapple pie, and Upshaw's sister doesn't have to worry about college tuition...
But it didn't matter, Link was walking with Upshaw now.
"I want to go to the bank first, Mr. Austin."
"Oh? Do you want to withdraw cash so impatiently?" Austin smiled. Ordinary people have $100,000 in their hands, and they will definitely want to splurge.
"No, I have to call my parents and Upshaw's mother first. I promised her I would pay for her daughter's tuition. My parents, they gave me four years of college and basketball. , has paid enough."
Link's answer made the smile on Austin's face disappear. He's seen too many players spend their money the first day they get paid. Luxury goods, cars, houses...even hundreds of thousands of dollars are not enough in front of these things.
However, one thing after Link got his salary was that he wanted to call someone else... For some reason, Austin became more and more confident in Link. Sometimes, certain qualities of a person may be more important than ball skills.
"Link, do you feel unhappy? It's obviously $2 million, but I got half of it." All the way to the underground parking lot with Link, Austin didn't rush into the car, but stopped and continued chatting with Link. .
"To be honest, it's quite unpleasant, hahahaha. After all, who doesn't want to get paid more."
"So, the value of business activities is now reflected. As an NBA player, your source of income is not only salary. Now, you are an official NBA player. And I, must start your business. Activity plan. Don't worry, I won't let you go to the amusement park to play with the fans in the shooting machine. I'm talking about real commercial contracts, advertising endorsements, TV shows, signing sports brands... After this contract, other cooperation will follow.”
"But..." Link looked at himself, "I can really have that much commercial value."
"Then it depends on how you play on the basketball court, the NBA is a fair place. Take as much money as you can. So keep trying, Link. Like I just said, it's not the end, It's just the beginning. By the way, about commercial contracts, do you have any taboos? For example, some brands you don't want to endorse, I will directly reject them."
"Uh...not yet. Just, don't let me go to those boring activities." Link knows that every player has some brands that he doesn't want to endorse. For example, that year, Yao Ming rejected Nike's endorsement invitation. Because Nike's first offer to Yao Ming was so low that Yao Ming felt insulted.
However, for the current Link, he has not yet had the capital to pick and choose.
"Well, starting from today, your business cooperation has also been officially put on the agenda. Don't worry, I won't disturb your training and competition, the schedule will be left to me. Enjoy your wonderful night. Come on, Link. Remember, this is just the beginning."
Austin waved and drove out of the underground parking lot at FedEx Arena.
Link stood there and squeezed himself hard. Well, it hurts, it means it's not a dream.
From now on, his status as a temporary worker will be bid farewell to him.