Basketball legend Oscar Robertson has recently weighed in on the controversial topic of load management in the NBA, expressing his belief that players should prioritize their commitment to fans over personal concerns about minutes and rest.
Oscar Robertson discussed how the association has grown to be the richest sports league in the world during a recent visit to “All The Smoke.” He’s glad that today’s players don’t have to struggle to make a living like he did.
However, he also voiced some concerns about their commitment, especially with issues like load management. He believes that players who are earning significant salaries have a responsibility to play a full schedule.
The 12-time All-Star said, “You see guys today, they try to worry about the minutes, load management. I think if you make $50 million, there’s no load management. I think sometimes, you owe it to the fans who come to see you play because when you say so or not, NBA players and owners are in this together.”
NBA players’ earnings have exploded since Robertson’s era
NBA players’ pay has increased dramatically from the time of Oscar Robertson. Robertson received an annual salary of approximately $35,000 between 1960 and 1974. Today, the average NBA salary is around $11.4 million, a jump of over 32,000% since his time.
Meanwhile, superstars like Steph Curry will get $55.7 million next season. With the new $75 billion TV agreement that the NBA signed recently, club pay ceilings may be up by 10% every year. This means that players might earn $100 million a year by the 2030s.
