LeBron James’ Olympic Bonus: A Drop in the Bucket Compared to NBA Contract

As LeBron James and the U.S. men’s basketball team celebrate their gold medal victory in Paris, it’s worth noting that the bonus they receive for their Olympic success is just a fraction of what James earns in the NBA. While U.S. athletes do not receive direct payments for competing in the Olympics, they are eligible for bonuses based on medal wins.

For the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee awarded $37,500 for each gold medal, $22,500 for each silver medal, and $15,000 for each bronze medal. This means that LeBron James, along with his teammates such as Steph Curry and Anthony Edwards, will each receive a $37,500 bonus for their gold medal performance.

However, this bonus is a drop in the bucket compared to the lucrative contracts NBA players like James receive. James recently signed a two-year, $104 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, highlighting the stark difference in earnings between Olympic bonuses and professional sports salaries.

In comparison, other U.S. Olympians such as Simone Biles and Sha’Carri Richardson are also set to receive substantial bonuses for their medal wins in Paris. Biles is expected to earn $135,000 for her three gold and one silver medals, while Richardson will receive over $60,000.

What’s Inside the Box for Olympic Medalists?

Aside from the monetary bonuses, Olympic medalists also receive a special gift in the form of a long box. Inside this box is an official Paris Olympics poster designed by French artist Ugo Gattoni. The poster captures the essence of the Games with intricate illustrations of various sports.

Additionally, medalists are gifted a stuffed mascot representing the medal they won. These mascots feature the emblem of the respective medal sewn onto their belly, adding a personalized touch to the athletes’ commemorative items.

TEGNA’s Megan Divers contributed to this report.