It seems that the NBA’s last great rivalry might be shifting off the court. Stephen Curry spoke about his post-retirement plans, and when he was told that he had earned more money than LeBron James, he didn’t hesitate to respond with an epic reaction full of humility.

When it comes to making plans for after he stops playing for the Los Angeles Lakers or in the NBA, LeBron made it clear that he wants to become the owner of an NBA team. In 2022, he said, “I want a team in Las Vegas,” and in 2024, he reaffirmed that goal.

For nearly a decade, James has been transparent about his desire to join Michael Jordan as one of the all-time greats who becomes a true stakeholder in the NBA,” stated ESPN journalists Tim Bontemps, Kevin Pelton, and Brian Windhorst. And Stephen Curry is headed in the same direction!

The Golden State Warriors point guard spoke with CNBC, and when asked if he wanted to be the owner of an NBA team, he said:
“The idea of being part of an ownership group and having the right opportunity that allows me to influence how a franchise should be run, how true winning is pursued, like we’ve done here with the Warriors, is something I’m excited to go after.”

Then came the mention of the money Curry has made, surpassing LeBron, and that’s when his epic reaction happened.

Stephen Curry’s epic reaction upon learning he had earned more money than LeBron

LeBron James y Stephen Curry

LeBron James and Stephen Curry

After revealing his intention to one day own an NBA team, Curry heard during the CNBC interview that in 2024 he was ranked as the second-highest-paid athlete in the world, ahead of LeBron James, according to the outlet Sportico. His reaction? He simply said, “Obviously, this has levels,” implying that earning $153.8 million dollars is part of a long process.

How much Stephen Curry earned in 2024 compared to LeBron James

Sportico reported that Stephen Curry earned a total of $153.8 million dollars in 2024, made up of $53.8 million in salary and $100 million in endorsements. Meanwhile, LeBron James earned $133.2 million dollars, about $20.6 million less than what Chef Curry took in, with $48.2M from salary and $85M from endorsements.