NBA agents like sports agent leigh steinberg continue to be essential power brokers, negotiating multi-million-dollar deals for their star clients. In 2025, NBA agent salaries will have kept pace with the rising value of player contracts. These agents, such as Rich Paul and Jeff Schwartz, not only negotiate player contracts but also secure lucrative endorsement deals, significantly boosting their annual income.

How Much Do NBA Agents Make in 2025?

The NBA Players Association still caps agent commissions on player contracts at 4%, and with the 2025–26 salary cap at roughly $154.6 million, that 4% scales quickly. A max-level star earning about $60 million in salary can generate ~$2.4 million in annual commission for the agent from the contract alone. Even elite veterans in the $50–55 million range translate to $2.0–$2.2 million per year before bonuses. Incentives and escalators—often negotiated by the agent—also count toward that 4%, nudging earnings higher when the player hits performance targets.

Endorsements widen the gap. While salaries are capped at a 4% fee, agents commonly earn 10–20% on marketing deals such as shoe contracts, apparel partnerships, trading-card agreements, appearances, and media projects. For a global superstar with eight-figure annual endorsements, it is not unusual for an agent’s marketing commissions to match or exceed what they make from the player’s on-court salary. In exceptional cases, an agent can clear eight figures in a single year from a single client’s total portfolio.

Not every client is a headline name, but the long tail adds up. A solid rotation player at $3 million per season yields about $120,000 in contract commission, plus any marketing fees. Agents who represent a deep bench of mid-tier and rookie-scale players can earn high six figures annually even without a marquee star, especially if they maintain strong player-development pipelines and landing spots with good fit and playing-time opportunities.

It is important to separate gross commissions from what agents actually take home. Many agents split revenue with their agency, pay for support staff, scouting, travel, legal review, and insurance, and of course owe federal and state taxes. The exact net varies by firm structure and jurisdiction, which is why agents and players alike should seek professional tax advice when projecting real after-tax income from a deal. Structuring fees, choosing entity type, and timing income can materially affect what ends up in pocket.

The range in 2025:

• Newer agents with a handful of modest contracts may see ~$200,000 in annual gross commissions.
• Established agents with multiple rotation players and a rising star can land in the mid-to-high seven figures.
• Power brokers with several superstars, big endorsement portfolios, and international deals can surpass $10 million, and in exceptional cases $50 million+ in a single year.

Bottom line: booming league revenues, a swelling salary cap, and a global endorsement market make 2025 a strong earnings environment for NBA agents. Just remember that headline numbers are before overhead and taxes—so whether you are an agent modeling your business or a player estimating your rep’s cut, factor in costs and consult professional tax advice to understand the true take-home picture.

The Commission Structure

NBA agents typically earn through two key avenues: player contracts and endorsements. While the 4% commission on contracts is the standard, endorsement deals offer higher percentages. Shoe deals, brand endorsements, and media appearances often bring in a separate 10-20% commission, adding millions to an agent’s annual salary.

For instance, Rich Paul, who represents LeBron James, has secured major deals with Nike, Beats by Dre, and Blaze Pizza. These endorsement deals alone can bring in additional millions in commissions.

Free Agency Period: A Major Payday

For NBA agents, the free agency period is the equivalent of striking gold. This is where the real money is made, and where the most lucrative deals are on the table. Imagine the excitement for an agent representing players like James Harden or Kyrie Irving—high-profile athletes entering free agency with the power to demand mega contracts. The 2025 market is seeing record-breaking deals, with teams willing to invest heavily in superstar talent. Agents take center stage during free agency, navigating complex negotiations to secure multi-year deals filled with performance bonuses, player options, and signing bonuses. Free agency isn’t just about locking in a number; it’s about leveraging every possible factor—player health, team needs, salary cap space, and market dynamics—to secure contracts that not only make the players happy but also bring in millions for the agent. Take a player like Harden, who commands massive attention every time he hits free agency. Harden’s agent knows that teams will be fighting for his services, which means higher bids and sweeter deals. For agents, this environment is perfect for squeezing in added incentives like playoff bonuses or opt-out clauses that further increase their client’s control—and their own commission.

Then there’s Kyrie Irving, whose unique situation as a talented yet polarizing figure offers agents another opportunity to capitalize on. The complexity of negotiating with teams that want his skillset but might hesitate due to off-court issues makes the agent’s role even more critical. Balancing what’s best for the player while ensuring the maximum payout is what sets great agents apart during free agency.

In 2025, free agency is evolving into an even more competitive market as salary caps rise and teams become more aggressive in pursuit of top talent. This means agents are cashing in big-time, often walking away with millions in commissions from a single deal. Add to that the growing trend of player empowerment, where stars are using free agency to gain more control over their careers, and the agent’s role in orchestrating these moves becomes even more lucrative.

For agents, it’s not just about negotiating the biggest contract; it’s about positioning their clients for long-term success, both on and off the court. Free agency is the ultimate playground for agents to showcase their negotiating prowess, earning a substantial cut from deals that sometimes last well beyond a player’s prime. And in the 2025 market, that payday is only getting bigger.

How Top Agents Secure Clients

In the highly competitive world of NBA agents, professionals like Glen Schwartzman, based in Florida, have made a name for themselves by strategically cultivating relationships and securing high-profile clients. Agents like Schwartzman typically rely on a mix of long-standing industry connections, strong negotiation skills, and a reputation for putting their clients’ interests first. Many agents actively recruit up-and-coming talent by attending college games, building relationships with coaches, and developing rapport with families. With a track record of securing impressive deals, agents like Schwartzman can attract rising stars looking for someone who can handle both their financial and career goals.

Schwartzman’s success in Florida is also a reflection of his deep understanding of the market, leveraging his connections and years of experience to negotiate contracts that set his clients up for long-term success. His ability to secure endorsements and manage off-court business ventures has made him a valuable asset for NBA players seeking more than just contract negotiation.

Performance Bonuses and Player Options: Maximizing Earnings

In the 2025 NBA free agency market, the strategic use of performance bonuses and player options has skyrocketed, with agents utilizing these tools to craft more flexible and lucrative deals for their clients. Performance bonuses, which may be tied to various metrics such as All-Star selections, MVP awards, or specific statistical achievements, offer players financial incentives for excelling in their performance. For example, a player could earn substantial bonuses for surpassing a certain number of points, rebounds, or assists, or even for achieving team-based goals like playoff appearances or championships.

This new emphasis on performance-based earnings has redefined how contracts are structured, moving away from flat-rate salary models. Agents now work closely with teams to ensure these bonuses are accessible to their clients while maximizing their potential income streams. For agents, this translates into more than just a boost in the player’s earnings; these bonuses also increase the agent’s commission, which is often calculated as a percentage of all earnings, including performance incentives. Additionally, player options give athletes more control over their future by allowing them to test free agency earlier or extend their contracts, providing agents with another round of negotiations and a second chance at commission.

Agents and Player Empowerment: The New Era

The rise of player empowerment has changed the way contracts and careers are shaped in today’s NBA. Athletes now demand more control over their futures, from contract terms to trade destinations, and agents are at the center of this movement. Instead of just negotiating deals, agents have become trusted strategists and advisors, guiding players through decisions that affect both finances and legacy. This evolution is one of the reasons 2025 NBA agent salaries are at all-time highs, as their role has expanded far beyond traditional contract work.

Player empowerment often takes the form of opt-out clauses, trade leverage, and destination preferences. These moves allow athletes to keep their options open while maximizing value in the short term. For agents, this shift means renegotiations are more frequent, which in turn increases their earning potential. A well-timed opt-out or a high-value short-term deal can be as lucrative for the agent as it is for the player. The connection between player empowerment and the steady rise in 2025 NBA agent salaries underscores how integral representation has become to the modern game.

Global Expansion of 2025 NBA Agent Salaries

The NBA is no longer just an American league, it’s a global brand, and that globalization has fueled the continued growth of 2025 NBA agent salaries. Agents now negotiate not only player contracts in the United States but also international endorsements in markets like Europe, China, and South America. Superstars such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Dončić are proof that a player’s global appeal can generate as much money off the court as on it, and agents earn a significant share of that revenue.

For top agents, overseas sponsorships and multinational brand deals have become just as important as domestic contracts. With endorsements often paying higher commissions, sometimes 10–20% compared to the 4% limit on playing salaries—global deals are driving the biggest jumps in 2025 NBA agent salaries. Agents who can tap into international markets and secure deals with tech companies, apparel giants, or lifestyle brands stand to make millions more each year.

The global growth of basketball ensures that agents remain indispensable, managing complex negotiations across borders while boosting both player visibility and their own bottom line. As the NBA’s worldwide reach expands, the rise of 2025 NBA agent salaries reflects just how valuable agents are in shaping careers and building global brands.

The Future of NBA Agent Salaries