Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is setting financial records with a projected contract extension worth $72.7 million per year, making it the highest average annual value (AAV) for an extension in NBA history, according to ESPN.
The eye-popping figure isn’t just historic for the league—it’s staggering compared to entire franchise payrolls in other major sports leagues. ESPN2’s graphic on SportsCenter laid it out plainly:
Extension Value vs. Franchise Payrolls
- Devin Booker (NBA, Suns): $72.7 million
- San Jose Sharks (NHL): $71.6 million
- Miami Marlins (MLB): $68.4 million
- Anaheim Ducks (NHL): $66.5 million
This means that Booker alone would be making more annually than the entire rosters of these professional sports teams. The comparison underscores the explosive growth of NBA contracts in recent years, driven by massive broadcasting deals and global market expansion.
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Why This Matters
Booker, a four-time All-Star and cornerstone of the Suns franchise, is now positioned not only as one of the league’s top talents but also as a financial benchmark. His extension, if finalized at this rate, would dwarf many team payrolls in both the NHL and MLB, leagues known for their more conservative salary caps and revenue structures.
With NBA player salaries continuing to rise, this moment serves as a key inflection point in how elite talent is valued—and how sports economics differ dramatically across leagues.
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Key Takeaway:
Devin Booker’s potential extension isn’t just massive—it’s historic, outpacing what entire sports teams are paying their full rosters, and signaling the ever-expanding financial scale of the NBA.