Rich Paul Explains Why Stephen Curry Should Get A Profit Share And Stock Options With Warriors

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is among the most influential figures in professional sports today. While he is best known for his on-court performance, his impact on the franchise extends far beyond that. Stephen Curry's rise to stardom has played a crucial role in the Warriors' growth as a team, attracting more fans and driving up revenue for the organization. However, should he be compensated for this additional value beyond his salary?

Rich Paul, the superstar guard's agent, believes Curry deserves more than just his $136.7 million contract extension. In an episode of the "Game Over" podcast, Paul explained why Curry should receive a profit share deal and stock options with the Warriors. Paul drew parallels between the NBA and corporate America, stating that Curry's value to the organization is comparable to that of an executive at a Fortune 500 company.

Curry's influence on the NBA's brand is significant, but Paul emphasized that he also contributes to the team's value through his pre-game routine, production, play on the court, showmanship, and professionalism. From a corporate perspective, there is no reason a similar compensation system should not exist in the NBA. Just as Steve Ballmer, the richest NBA owner and former Microsoft CEO, has benefited from holding stock that continues to grow in value, so too should Curry.

Paul argued that while Curry's current deal is substantial, it may not fully reflect his true value to the Warriors. When Joe Lacob and Peter Gruber bought the team in 2010, its value was around $450 million. Now, nearly 16 years later, the Warriors are valued at approximately $10-$11 billion, much of which can be attributed to Curry's star power. In this light, Curry's agent is not the first to advocate for stock options in the Warriors, as Kevin Durant has also suggested the guard should receive an ownership stake.

With Curry's contract expiring, it is crucial that the Warriors appropriately compensate their franchise player before he decides to walk away from the game.