Stephen Curry Thinks NBA Players Are Underpaid: 'We Can't Participate in Equity'

Stephen Curry is certain that NBA players are underpaid, and believes he knows why.

In an interview with Speedy Morman on 360 with Speedy, Curry explained that the league's current collective bargaining agreement, or CBA, limits the earning potential for today's players.

"I think, because the way the CBA is structured right now, we can't participate in equity," he said. "And that's a big deal because, it is a partnership with ownership. It's a partnership with the league. And we're on a short-term of that revenue."

Curry acknowledged that NBA superstar contracts are undoubtedly astronomical. According to Spotrac, the Golden State Warriors star will earn $59.6 million this coming season, and signed a one-year extension last year that will pay him $62.6 million next year. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander agreed to a record extension worth $285 million over four years.

"Those numbers sound crazy, but what the league is doing from whatever area you want to compare it to, to now is, probably 10x that," Curry said. "So like, the idea that we can't participate in equity while we're playing is part of why I would say yes, we are underpaid."

LeBron James picked up his $52.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season late last month, making him the 12th-highest earning player in the league. James is arguably the biggest draw in the league, in terms of ticket sales for the Los Angeles Lakers and opposing teams. His jersey was the third in jersey sales last season.

Even though LeBron brings so much to the NBA financially, he will never truly receive what he's worth to the league because of how the agreed-upon CBA splits earnings from ticket sales, jersey sales, etc. Curry hints that when the time comes for both sides to negotiate the next collective bargaining agreement, the players association will seek out a larger portion of the pie.

"Hopefully, sooner than later, those rules change a little bit," he said. "So that players can participate more in the upside of team equity, the league, evaluations, and all that type stuff. Just 'cause I think we deserve it."

The WNBA and WNBPA are currently involved in collective bargaining agreement negotiations. Players wore black shirts, which read, "Pay Us What You Owe Us," during the WNBA All-Star Game over the weekend. According to The Athletic, WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert described recent talks as "constructive," with players seeking an increase in annual salary, as well as changes to the revenue-sharing system.

According to Engelbert, the WNBA is seeing year-over-year increases across the board in national TV viewership (up 23 percent), attendance (up 26 percent), and merchandise sales (up 40 percent). The league also announced a new media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime Video, and NBCUniversal last year for $2.2 billion over 11 years.

With everything related to the WNBA trending upwards, the players association wants to be paid what they are owed.