Cooper Flagg and Cam Ward were both picked first overall but contracts have wide margin differences
There are very few comparisons between the four major sports in the United States (if four is even the right number anymore). The NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL are run so significantly differently, with a wide variety of differences in roster sizes, needs, CBAs and revenues that it really is apples to oranges.
Not sure any other league has been shown to try to collude against their players like the NFL had recently, either.
Comparing the NBA draft to the NFL’s version is interesting in one way: Top contracts. In this year’s NFL draft, the top five picks were given four-year contracts with the following totals:
- QB Cam Ward – $48.8 million
- WR/CB Travis Hunter – $46.6
- DE Abdul Carter – $45.2
- OT Will Campbell – $43.6
- DT Mason Graham – $40.8
(Numbers according to Spotrac)
So, how does the top overall pick in last night’s NBA draft compare? Cooper Flagg will make a total of $62.7 million, about $14 million more than Ward, but Ace Bailey’s contract will be just about $400K more than Graham’s deal with the Cleveland Browns as the fifth overall pick:
Projected Rookie Scale 4-Year Contract Breakdowns for all 30 #NBA 1st round picks. pic.twitter.com/kuft6CkBLX
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 26, 2025
While quarterback is considered the most valuable position in all of sports, that statement is slightly inaccurate. A top 5 to 10 player in the NBA who can dribble and shoot changes the course of almost any franchise. It is better if that player is also tall and plays a “wing” position, but Steph Curry and others have shown that is not necessary in today’s NBA.
Not only do NBA players make more at the very top of the draft, but their long-term contracts are generally larger, with all or most guaranteed. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, for example, have five-year deals worth $314 and $285 million, respectively. At $63 and $57 million average annual value, only QB Dak Prescott ($60 million AAV) is competitive in the NFL and the value of his deal is still almost $75 million and $45 million less than Tatum and Brown’s deals.
The NFL is still the most popular game, but NBA players are still making much more at the top of the market. Having much smaller rosters and only five players on the court at a time plays a big roll in that, but it will be interesting if the next NFL CBA sees changes to get top contracts more in line with what the NBA gives out.
Are you surprised at some of the differences in top contracts (both in the draft and for veterans) between the NBA and NFL?